AMERICAN EAGLE CARVING
BY
ARTISTIC CARVING COMPANY
“LIVE AND LET LIVE”
BANNER

This fine Artistic Carving Co. American Eagle is resplendent in its original gold finish.

DIMENSIONS: 36 ” L x 15” H x 4” D
WEIGHT  5 lbs.Presented is an outstanding example of a carved American eagle which is in pristine condition. It was made by the Artistic Carving Company in Boston in the 1950’s and the detailing is excellent. Over the years there have been many carvers of American eagles, but the two most widely known are those carved by John Bellamy who was the best known carver in his day. Bellamy’s work command prices that only the very rich can afford. For example, In the Summer of 2005 a Bellamy eagle brought $600,000 in a Portsmouth auction. There has been a moderation of prices since then, but a 26 inch eagle can still bring in the mid five figures. The Artistic Carving Company which started operation in the late 1800’s and continued into the 1950’s. The pictures that follow show the fine condition of this example.
Close-up of the Head, Banner and Flag
The eagle has heavily incised feathers on fully spread wings, and the fierce looking head with glaring white eye. The red painted open beak is turned right. The eagle’s right talons grip a shield with 7 navy blue stars on a white field and stripes in red and gold. Eagle is painted in a vibrant gold polychrome with a blue banner in its red beak with fouled anchors and the “Live and Let Let” inscription.
Close-up of the Wing and Banner

BACK STORY: Ron Bourgeault, the well known New England auctioneer reminisces by saying, ” At a very young age I would go with Hyman Webber to the Artistic Carving Company in Boston to buy eagles reproduced by the company. For a youth the experience of watching a large carving machine turn out numerous heads and bodies was wonderful. The workmen would then assemble the pieces, put a few finishing touches on the carvings, then, paint, and antique each one. We would load up the green pickup truck and head back to Hampton, New Hampshire. Since it was soon after World War II, there was a market for these patriotic symbols. We sold them for what they were, starting at $35.00 for the small ones”. Today, this company’s larger eagles will currently sell for about $7000.00.
DESCRIPTION: Heavily incised feathers on fully spread wings, finished in a vibrant gold polychrome, along with fierce looking head with glaring white eye turned to the right. The red painted open beak is turned right, and holds a banner with the inscription “Live and Let Live” with two fouled anchors on each end. The talons grip a shield with 7 navy blue stars on a white field and red and gold stripes.
CONDITION: This eagle carving is in like new condition, and shows only some minor wear on the top of the right wing along with a small crack in the wood that is only visible on very close inspection.
Original Artistic Carving Co. catalog sheet of this eagle