ARTISTIC CARVING COMPANY
Carved Wood
American Eagle


This fine Artistic
Carving Co. American Eagle is resplendent in its original finish.
DIMENSIONS: 43 3/4 ” L x 16” H x 5” D
WEIGHT  9 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 other enduring maker was 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.

On display with items that maybe purchased separately The eagle has heavily incised feathers on fully spread
wings, the fierce looking head with glaring white eye. The red painted open beak is turned right. The eagle’s right talon
holds two arrows on a midnight black plaque while its left talon holds a Federal shield with one star showing on a blue field.
The shield has seven vertical stripes and eight white stripes. All else in its original gold polychrome. This eagle must have
always been indoors and show only the normal darkening of the surfaces with age. Careful inspection shows fine crackling in
the paint. There are no defects.

Close-ups of the head, arrows and shield

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.

Viewed from theright and left side
DESCRIPTION: Heavily incised feathers on fully spread wings, the fierce looking
head with glaring white eye.  The red painted open beak is turned right. The eagle’s right talon holds two
arrows on a midnight black plaque while its left talon holds a Federal shield with one star showing on a blue field. The shield
has seven vertical stripes and eight white stripes. All else is in its original gold polychrome.CONDITION: This fine carved eagle is in excellent condition with some
darkening of the surfaces with age. Careful inspection shows fine crackling of the paint.  Remarkably, there are
no defects.
Original Artistic Carving Co. catalog sheet of this eagle.