Birds

A Folk Art Bird Tree is a single branch of wood or other material held up by a base with birds attached to its branches. Those birds can be made of pottery, metal, paper mache or of classically carved out of wood. Bird trees were carved by the Pennsylvania Germans to symbolize the entrance of spring with its emphasis on rebirth. The trees were filled with colorful birds such as those used in "Fractures" . The birds were very colorful and attached to bent branches. The number of branches  and birds varied with each creation. The position of the birds also varied with each piece. Each carver had their own style for their work. These trees were given to infants or new couples as gifts of affection or courtship.

The Strawser-Godshall-Brunner Family have for many generations continued the Folk Art of the Pennsylvania Germans in contemporary times. Barbara Strawser paints life in Lebanon and Lancaster counties. Her Grandfather, Luke Gotshall and her father Walter Gotshall were carvers in the Wilhelm Shimmal tradition. Her Great Aunt Hattie Brunner became known as the "Pennsylvania German Grandma Moses' for her folk art paintings. Strawser's two sons, David and Timothy are wood carvers along with their father, Daniel Strawser. The family's works have shared their Pennsylvania German heritage with the world.

This Folk Art Bird Tree is colorful and balanced. It supports three stylized birds on three branches.  The birds look attentively at the viewer with one looking upward. The tree trunk is brown from top to bottom. The base is a combination of shapes stacked in alternating red and green paint. It is signed under the base. It is 20"T with a base diameter of 4". It is in excellent condition.

This bird tree is hand carved by Walter Godshall. It is hand painted and signed by June Gotshall and dated 1996. Mr & Mrs. Gotshall are members of the family described above. They are well known Folk Artists of Berks and Lancaster County. Their work is highly collectable .

# MCB 22070

$325.00

A Folk Art Bird Tree is a single branch of wood or other material held up by a base with birds attached to its branches. Those birds can be made of pottery, metal, paper mache or of classically carved out of wood. Bird trees were carved by the Pennsylvania Germans to symbolize the entrance of spring with its emphasis on rebirth. The trees were filled with colorful birds such as those used in "Fractures" . The birds were very colorful and attached to bent branches. The number of branches  and birds varied with each creation. The position of the birds also varied with each piece. Each carver had their own style for their work. These trees were given to infants or new couples as gifts of affection or courtship.

This Folk Art Bird Tree is colorful and attentive. It supports nine active birds on nine branches. Each Bird has its own personality and color with black, red and white being the dominant motif. The base is decorated with yellow flowers, stylized scroll work and circles. The tree trunk has circles from top to bottom. It is signed under the base. It is 20"T with a base diameter of 6.5"

This bird tree is hand carved by Clarence Fennimore. It is hand painted and signed by Linda Fennimore and dated August 2021. Mr Fennimore is a descendant of carvers including Harry Fennimore who was one of the classic carvers of the Delaware River School. Mr Fennimore was chairman of the annual decoy show put on by the New Jersey Decoy Collectors Association. In 2002 he was named the New Jersey Decoy Collectors Association "Carver of the Year". In 2003, his Pintail Drake was featured decoy for the New Jersey Duck Stamp.

# MCB F505

$395.00

A Folk Art Bird Tree is a single branch of wood or other material held up by a base with birds attached to its branches. Those birds can be made of pottery, metal, paper mache or of classically carved out of wood. Bird trees were carved by the Pennsylvania Germans to symbolize the entrance of spring with its emphasis on rebirth. The trees were filled with colorful birds such as those used in "Fractures" . The birds were very colorful and attached to bent branches. The number of branches  and birds varied with each creation. The position of the birds also varied with each piece. Each carver had their own style for their work. These trees were given to infants or new couples as gifts of affection or courtship.

This Folk Art Bird Tree is colorful and balanced. It supports eleven male & female cardinals on six branches with three wooden carved painted leaves. The birds are pared with their mates and look attentively at the viewer .  One bird does not have a mate.  The tree trunk is brown from top to bottom. The base is a combination of shapes stacked in alternating red and green paint. It is signed under the base. It is 15"T with a base diameter of 4.75" D.

This bird tree is hand carved by M.K.Scheel. Mr. Scheel is a resident of Bethlehem, Pa who has been carving for years. He conceives carving as a multi-dimensional canvass. He uses an electric bench tool only once when he cuts the rough form - then it is straight to the knife. His work is shown in many national art shows . He participates in the World Show in Ocean City, MD, where he serves as a judge. Scheel has placed many times in world miniature competition which have become his specialty.

# MCB 21003

$725.00