Antique Folk Art Carved Wood Dog Humidor
There is nothing like folk art with its surface worked by hand in a singular vision. Time unimportant; thoughts mulled over while hands work away on an object of pure joy and reverie. Often the untrained eye can be the clearest, as this is one of the strongest carvings from a naive hand. It is a hand-carved humidor with a figure of a dog alongside two barrels—a small one to hold matches and a large barrel for cigars. There is a plaque which may have been the striker. This unschooled artist was more adept at carving than many a skilled professional.
The dog itself is a small masterpiece of detail, shaping, sinew and life. He appears to be a spaniel type with his alert expression, mouth slightly ajar and every hair and bit of fur carved out. His musculature is correct and his paws and body are well executed. The collar, nose, eyes, and ears are all superb. Next to the dog is a small barrel carved in great detail. The design is staves and barrel hoops. The large lidded barrel that holds the cigars is quite a work in itself. Each ring of the barrel is convex and carved in striations, all held together in design by what appears to be leather straps swirling over the surface of the barrel and onto the lid. The lid mirrors these patterns and the top knob has a lovely carved saw tooth design. The more one looks at this, the more one sees.
What makes this so memorable are the tattered letters that come down to us reading “Bert, This smoking…given to me by Mrs. King. An old French lady, 78 years old. It was made by her grand-father up in Quebec, Can. when he was a young man. His only tools were a saw and a jack knife…Mrs. King was the only one that did not rob me. She got hold of my clothes and kept them for me in perfect shape. I value it very highly and hope you will think enough of it to place it on the table in your sitting room. At least no one can say, ‘I’ve got one just like it.’ Perhaps I might see it from the road as I passed by on the other side. Don.” There are several intriguing stories within this missive, not only the woman and her grandfather, but the clothes and the “theft” would be tales worth hearing. “1799” is carved on the bottom, but this seems far too early for the actual date as this is a 19th century sculpture.
Excellent condition except for the following: a small loss on the right back ear of the dog, the back right foot was broken and well restored, hardly apparent and difficult even to photograph given its position. There are some very tiny nicks to the wood along the base but all are very inconsequential. Measures 9-3/8 inches long at the base, 6-¼ inches wide, and ½ of an inch high; 7 inches high (without base) by 4-¾ inches wide for the cigar humidor; the dog is 6-1/4 inches (without base) to tip of head, about 2 inches wide; the small match holder 1-¼ inches high (without base) and 1-5/8 inches by 1-7/8 inches wide (out of round). Smells slightly of smoke and a cabin in the woods. Late 19th or early 20th century.
