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  CARVED, SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE PEDIMENT WITH TERRIFIC FORM AND EXCEPTIONAL SURFACE, AMERICAN, circa 1850-1880
Dimensions (inches): 19" tall x 56" wide x 5.5" deep
Description:
Carved, spread-winged eagle with an upraised head, perched as if on a fabric covered, horizontal bar—likely to represent a flag or banner that has been wrapped around a staff. Made of pine or fir, large in scale, and exceptionally well proportioned, note the quality of the workmanship throughout. The skill of the carver is evident in everything from the treatment of the feathers to the muscular torso, the talons, the beak, and the brow, all of which were expertly and thoughtfully executed with excellent detail.

Made sometime between the early Victorian era and the 1880’s, chief among the attributes of this example is the exceptional, early, crazed, varnished surface, the presence of which rounds out the wide array of desirable elements that together reflect a first class example of 19th century American folk art.

The back of the carving reveals a swelled recess that would have allowed it to surmount a matching fitting above a doorway, a mantle, or a large window casing in a courthouse, government building, fraternal lodge, firehouse, etc., or perhaps an oversized cabinet of some sort, such as one to display flags or patriotic objects in an armory, a militia or G.A.R. hall or a political club. Elaborate decoration such as this was likewise produced, with great care and effort, to decorate events such as at the 1876 Centennial International Exposition.

Whatever the case may be, this is an uncommonly great eagle for any collection, for display above a framed flag, or a doorway, or in some other decorative fashion.

Mounting: I added a French cleat on the reverse for easy and stable hanging.

Condition: There is a repaired, horizontal break in one of the wings (very common in such carvings), clearly visible on the reverse. There is a bump with a small chip at the top of the outermost feather, at the tip of the proper right wing. The tip of the beak was chipped. This was expertly repaired and with such success that it is completely invisible. There is a minor crack (exceptionally stable) further up the beak and there are very minor chips and small dings elsewhere, but the overall condition is truly exceptional, especially in consideration of the size, surface, and age.
   
Primary Color: brown, red
Earliest Date: 1850
Latest Date: 1880's
For Sale Status: Available
Price Please call (717) 676-0545 or (717) 502-1281
E-mail: info@jeffbridgman.com
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