Posted 13 years ago
thriftfan
(127 items)
I picked this guy up because I just love the detail in his face and hands! Carved wood with plenty of detail on the box he sits on too, yet the "M.D." carved into the back of the box looks out of place to me since the rest of this is so nicely done. The M.D. just looks too crude. Anywho....there is a stamp on the bottom that I cannot make out...I see "6000" and it looks like the first line starts with an "S" and ends with "linded" or "linder"? Can anyone help with this one?
Is it Kris Kringle?
What is he holding ?
Honestly, it looks like an acorn, LOL! Maybe a spitoon or something that would fit in the bowl beside him? I'll get a better picture of it.
See the new close-up :)
Nope, I don't think so officialfuel...although the background could lead ya that way!
Thrift I can make out hand carved . I was thinking a shoe cobbler a watch maker because of apron . He is a Hillbilly looking man with hat but what do you do with and acorn if it was a pipe it would make sense or a MD being a Dr wow he is perplexing but neat piece .Gee if it was a piece of corn we could surmise he was running moonshine LOL
A possible reading and only possible of the top line: SOMMERLINDEN?
Is the thing a pipe he is holding with the mouth piece maybe knocked off?
Somme-Linde or Tilia platyphyllos is a deciduous tree native to much of Europe, including locally in southwestern Great Britain, growing on lime-rich soils. The common name Large-leaved Linden is in standard use throughout the English-speaking world except in Britain, where it has largely (but not universally) been replaced by the name Large-leaved Lime.
It is frequently planted as an ornamental tree in parks, or as a shade tree or a lawn tree. It has been introduced into New England in the United States. It reaches a height of 32m.
Its natural native distribution is in woods by Rivers Wye and Severn, and in South Yorkshire. It is not native to Ireland. It is found throughout France, Central Europe and Asia Minor.
Its timber is a relatively soft white or yellow wood, a valuable timber. The timber does not change dimensions or warp once seasoned. The Large Leaved Lime timber has been used for carving, making small articles and model making.
Sugar can be made from its sap and beekeepers regard it as a good source of nectar. It has been known for its dried flowers dried to make tea (continental Europe).
Thanks Hedgewalker and vetraio50 for the loves! I think you may be right on both accounts vetraio....when I look at him, I cannot tell that anything is missing, but when I feel around the back of his hand---sharp, like something has broken off.
This is a nice, light wood. It took a while for me to rule out plastic because of this. Thanks so much for the great info!!!!
Hi thrifty!
My other thought that if not a pipe then it could have been a 'snuff mull'.
That might explain the look on his face; either way it could be 'tobacciana'.
I have now worked out the German reference to ferienhaus-sommerlinde that is a hit you get with the google search on this object. It seems that is the most used search on Google in Germany: a lime-tree guest house
.... the traditional wooden chalet with pitched roof where a German family would like to stay on their summer holidays!
So it might be 'sommerlinder'
Funny, but someone posted an early pipe on here today with a silver cap on it and a short handle/mouthpiece (not sure what it is called). I could see how that one would look like an acorn when carved into a sculpture. And the mouthpiece would be short enough that it would not be extended out past his hand....hhmmmm.
Hi thriftfan. Saw the pic you mention and it is actually missing the mouthpiece.
On that one it might have been a horn or amber piece.
They could be changed if damaged.