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Rare WILHELM SCHIMMEL Handcarved and Hand-Painted Folk Art Pine American Eagle

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 3,800.00 USD
Rare WILHELM SCHIMMEL Handcarved and Hand-Painted Folk Art Pine American Eagle
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Historic Americana
Wilhelm Schimmel Hand-Carved & Painted American Eagle
Wilhelm Schimmel (1817-1890), Hand-carved and Painted Pine patriotic American Eagle, attributed to German-born wood carver of Cumberland Valley, PA., Fine.
This authentic Hand-carved Pine and Painted American Eagle, measures about 6.25” tall x 3.25 long and 2” wide, being Hand-painted in muted red, tan and white, with some underlying natural wood still apparent as intended. Properly attributed to Schimmel this example has the American Eagle posed perched on a branch. Unsigned as usual, this piece has some wear from handling, its beak, breast and back of head have chipping loss as well as the tips of the tail feathers and base. Prior Wilhelm Schimmel carved specimens we have previously offered include; EAHA Auction, February 14, 2009, Lot 546, a small 5.5” tall Eagle which brought $5,605 and a carved Rooster measuring 7” tall sold for $7,000 (purchased from our online Early American History Store) in 2013. In October 2018 a Midwest auction house sold a smaller, near identical Schimmel attributed carved Eagle measuring 5” tall with a 8” wingspan, which hammered at $7,500 (having having some paint loss and old putty added to the wing joints). This is likely a more affordable Wilhelm Schimmel Hand-Carved & Painted American Eagle.
William Schimmel was a German-born wood carver who tramped through the Cumberland Valley near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, often staying in jails and almshouses. His only occupation was carving heads of animals out of soft pine, which he would sell for a few pennies each. Reportedly he had a very surly disposition.

He became the first of four important Cumberland County carvers, specializing in large, dramatic, colorful eagles. Schimmel's eagles have both smooth and crosshatched bodies, and many of his carvings are on display at the Winterthur Museum and the Cumberland County Historical Society. (Source: Sotheby's New York.)

The American Eagle was a favorite theme for carvers, including one of the most noted Folk sculptors of the 19th century, Wilhelm (1817-1890). Schimmel’s Eagles vary in size from mere inches to several feet. Eagles were his signature pieces, but Schimmel is also known for representations of other animals such as roosters, parrots and lions.