OUTSTANDING AMERICAN FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED PATRIOTIC STAFF / WALKING STICK, a boldly expressive form, probably Civil War period or slightly later, featuring a large bust portrait of a soldier with dark moustache, glass eyes, and an applied oversized kepi-style cap inscribed "14", over a ring of four Federal-style shields running around the circumference, each displaying three stars, above a serpent-entwined shaft with rich green ground. The whole retains an exceptional, untouched, dry polychrome painted surface. Discovered near Youngstown, OH. Third quarter 19th century. 28 1/2" L.
Provenance: Property from a Youngstown, OH estate.
Catalogue Note: A recent discovery, the presently offered carved and painted staff or walking stick represents the best in American folk art - a single, cohesive object crafted in a vernacular tradition that is simultaneously sophisticated and naive. Possibly of Ohio origin, and created during the Civil War or shortly thereafter, this staff transcends conventional notions of cane carving. Given its relatively short length (without any clear evidence of significant loss to the end), it is difficult to say whether this piece functioned specifically as a walking stick or as staff of sorts, perhaps to be used in parades or other ceremonies associated with various veterans organizations that became popular the wake of the Civil War. In this context, the "14" inscribed on the figure's cap may stand for the 14th Ohio Infantry Regiment, which mustered out of Cleveland and Columbus, not far from where this staff was discovered. In the absence of clear provenance or documentation, however, it is difficult to definitively draw any such conclusions. Regardless, the present piece stands as an extraordinary example of 19th-century American folk sculpture.

Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear, slightly heavier at base, with small losses.