Wood carved American
eagles are an Americana art form unto themselves.
The form of the American eagle, popularized during the
American Federal Period of the early 1800's, has evolved
over time, and carvings and wooden inlays in furniture
that reflect the evolving style of the eagles of their
time. Carved eagles by famous American carvers,
such as John Haley Bellamy of Kittery-Portsmouth New
Hampshire represent the American spirit and are highly
sought after and cherished by private collectors and
institutions that specialize in early Americana.
This beautiful carved
eagle dates to the 20th century. Specific details
about its maker are not known, but the story that
accompanied the eagle is that its original owner
commissioned its carving to resemble a Union breastplate
that the owner dug from the battlefield at Petersburg,
Virginia. The irregularities in the wooden
plaque's shape and surface are intentional, to mimic the
condition of the breastplate, which had been buried
since the Civil War. That the maker of this eagle
was a master carver is unquestionable. The bold
carving, exceptional detail on the eagle's talons and
feathers, and the exceptional workmanship of the gilding
come together in a masterpiece of American carving and a
true folk art treasure.
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