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OUTSTANDING EARLY CARVED FIGUREHEAD IN THE FORM OF AN AMERICAN EAGLE Circa 1815
A larger-than-life-size Federal Period eagle, the earliest example of an American carved eagle figurehead we have examined. Strong facial features, including a high brow, well-defined eyes and nostrils, a sharp open beak with visible tongue, a taut extended neck, and the head positioned so the eye is centered at the front of the figurehead. Beautifully carved and incised feather details on neck, chest and upper portion of legs. Carved wings, tucked in close to the body, have some carved feather details but were probably intentionally more modestly carved to help minimize damage while the figurehead was at sea. Finely detailed talons clutch rocks at the base. Back of eagle with typical carved scrolls. Flat unfinished pine backboard. Mounted on a contemporary metal base. Height 41.5". Width 16". Depth 16".

A larger-than-life-size Federal Period eagle, the earliest example of an American carved eagle figurehead we have examined. Strong facial features, including a high brow, well-defined eyes and nostrils, a sharp open beak with visible tongue, a taut extended neck, and the head positioned so the eye is centered at the front of the figurehead. Beautifully carved and incised feather details on neck, chest and upper portion of legs. Carved wings, tucked in close to the body, have some carved feather details but were probably intentionally more modestly carved to help minimize damage while the figurehead was at sea. Finely detailed talons clutch rocks at the base. Back of eagle with typical carved scrolls. Flat unfinished pine backboard. Mounted on a contemporary metal base. Height 41.5". Width 16". Depth 16".
Condition: Untouched surface showing weather exposure, including a gray driftwood-like surface with minor shrinkage cracks throughout. Old crackled surface of remaining paint and lichens. A section of the base on the left hand side is missing, effecting two of the talons; loss and wear to the base of a figurehead is common and expected. The end of the lower part of the beak has been replaced.


Please contact Eldred's 48 hours prior to the auction start time with condition report requests. Please do not bid on any item without reading the condition report. The absence of a condition report does NOT imply that an an object is free of defects or restoration. Please contact Eldred's before bidding with any questions as to condition. Condition reports are provided as a complimentary service and only reflect the opinion of Eldred's and should not be taken as a statement of fact. Condition reports only detail flaws or restorations and do not take into account wear, fading, or other issues consistent with an object's age.

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August 13, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
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$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000