Deer hoof lamps with Wisconsin lamp shades

For the very twisted...here's a pair of deer hoof lamps with Wisconsin postcard lamp shades.

Already they've created quite a stir with our neighbors to the immediate north.

There was a period of time, I believe in the late 50's, when items like these were very much in vogue, although probably only in the Northwoods.

Indeed, they still would look fantastic in a cabin at a lake.

One side of the lampshade is red, the other black. $150/pr.

TEMPLE HEAD, CAMBODIA...ANKOR WAT?

This Cambodian piece holds more mystery for me than all my collection put together. Years ago, I visited Ankor Wat in Cambodia and was overwhelmed with the site. Noticeably absent were the heads to dozens, if not hundreds, of statues in the area around the temples--victims of the invading Burmese, from centuries ago, right up to the Kymer Rouge in the 1970s.

I noticed that many of the statues were carved of basalt, a black igneous rock. Finally, my education paid off...

I flew to San Diego in November of 2005--actually to see the Rolling Stones at Petco Park--but I couldn't help going to the San Diego Flea Market/Swap Meet the following Sunday.

There I encountered a Cambodia woman; who had just arrived in the US, and professed that she brought this stone head with her from Cambodia and that it was very old and famous.

I usually don't fall for dealer scams--I mean I AM in the business-- but a few too many things were lining up here, not to take notice.

1st, the seller was from Cambodia. That's a plus right there. 2nd, the piece is made out of basalt--just like the statues at Ankor Wat. And 3rd, this head has been broken off something...possibly by invading barbarians...this is no copy. The rock is too hard. They make copies out of sandstone, not basalt

At present this piece is NFS...until I learn more about it. But it's a most enjoyable piece to own, and I'm bettin' that it came from Ankor Wat or somewhere near...

EASTLAKE SIDE TABLE 1870-90

I have recently acquired this Eastlake marble-top side table here in northern Illinois. It is aVictorian burl walnut piece from 1870-90. The style is attributed to Charles Eastlake (1836-1906) who was an architect and a writer from England.

His book Hints on Household Taste in Furniture, Upholstery, and Other Details suggested that furniture and decor in people's homes should be made by hand or machine workers who took personal pride in their work.

This is a wonderful example of an American Eastlake piece in excellent condition.

$350

ELEPHANT'S FOOT STOOL

Well, here's an unusual item...an elephant's foot stool! Looks like it belongs in an African Safari lodge. It's 2' tall and has a 12" diameter across the seat. The seat is removable and the actual interior of the foot is beautifully lined with wood. This could also be used as a one-of-a-kind umbrella stand.

$350 SOLD!!!

VINTAGE ICEBOX CIRCA: 1900

I've been looking for one of these iceboxes, since my parents gave away a similar one in the '60s.
It measures 44" x 32" x 18" and is made of solid oak. This piece now graces my dining room and is used for storage. It is valued at $600 but presently NFS.

AMERICAN CYLINDER BUREAU CIRCA: 1840-80s

This gem is an American cylinder bureau, originally discovered in northern Michigan. The style predates the familiar roll-top desk of the 1880s-1910. It probably dates from the 1840's-1880's and measures 43" x 38"
Valued at $800. SOLD!!

DOGON GRAINARY DOOR, MALI, AFRICA

The Dogon of present day Mali (Africa) live along the Bandiagara escarpment...a range of cliffs approximately 120 miles long and in places up to one thousand feet high. Living in small villages on the plain, at the foot of the escarpment, the Dogon farm in an environment that is marginal and demanding.

As subsistence farmers, they depend upon the food they produce to live...storing it in granaries made of mud with thatched roofs and carved doors providing access to the foodstuffs held in the granary. Numerous granaries attest not only to the need to store food, but equally reflect family structures, as each wife will have her own granary where personal objects as well as family shrines are kept.

Openings into the granary were sealed by carved doors or panels, such as the one above. Figures of humans, animals or of symbolic motifs are carved in relief onto the surface of the door. The doors have pointed corners that served as hinges .

53" x 26" Valued at $350

VINTAGE OLD STYLE MOTION LIGHT

Here's a rare, vintage Old Style beer motion light from the '60s. The water appears to be moving and the wording scrolls from bottom to top. 29" x 16" Perfect for a Northwoods setting. Valued at $200. SOLD!!!

"Mallard Cove"

This is a wonderful picture by wildlife artist Gene Stocks. It's called "Mallard Cove." The piece is nicely framed and measures 33" x 26". Asking $125. SOLD!

RED RIVER VALLEY RED LAGER MIRROR

This unique mirror totally captures the Northwoods feel and would look fantastic in any home or cabin with such a theme. It measures 35" x 27".
Red River Lager is a subsidiary of the Stroh's Brewing Company.

Asking price: $150.00

CIRCASSIAN WALNUT DRESSER 1920

I have recently acquired this outstanding Circassian walnut dresser from right here in northern Illinois. It is an American Empire Revival style and was made in the 1920s.

Asking Price:$599 SOLD!

STORYBOARD, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

I collected this massive ( aprox 39" x 46") storyboard myself on an expedition to Papua New Guinea. It was purchased in Kambot Village--which is a tributary of the Sepik River in northeastern PNG--in the mid 1980's and been in my personal collection ever since.

It's made of solid wood, 1" to 2" thick and very heavy.

Traditionally, storyboards tell of village life and/or village legends. The piece is very detailed, hand-carved and has excellent relief. Value: $1500.

NIMBA FIGURE

Sold!! This piece came into my possession in the early 1990's. It is a "Nimba" Figure from Guinea, Africa and was purchased from the Lou Allen Collection in Palo Alto, Ca. It has been one of my favorite pieces ever since. It is 54" in height. Value:$2300

The D'mba (or Nimba) headdress is by far the most well known Baga work of art. It is a bust of a woman on four legs, and is worn on the head with a costume of raffia and cloth. It represents an older woman who has given selflessly, and also represents community. Its use was documented as early as 1886.

The Baga people, a small group of 45,000, live along the coast of Guinea Bissau on the African continent. The art of the Baga of coastal Guinea revolves around nature, the harvest and the veneration of feminine beauty. All of these vital social and spiritually important elements are combined in the D'mba, or "nimba."

" Nimba is the joy of living; it is the promise of abundant harvest in the entire Bagata." The Nimba masks, often monumental works carried on the shoulders, rank among the largest of all ritual objects in West Africa. They are used at funerals, harvest festivals, and at initiations. Normally these "masks" have four legs or posts(for placement on the shoulders), and feature large noses and pendulous breasts, which hang close to the body. The carving would then be provided with a colorful and elaborate costume prior to use. It is a finely carved and impressive piece.