JOHN HALEY BELLAMY
Maine/New Hampshire, 1836-1914
Circa 1872-1900 carved pine spread-wing eagle plaque retaining its original paint. Nicely articulated curved tongue and piercing eye, both painted red, and gracefully sweeping wings with refined feathers. Red, white and blue American Liberty shield at its breast. Mellow patina. Unsigned, as typical of Bellamy's work. Accompanied by a letter of authentication from James A. Craig, a curator and author specializing in Bellamy's work. Craig writes the staining scheme is original to the time of manufacture and notes the rarity of this example because of the three stars on the shield, rather than the typical single star, and that it was stained to resemble mahogany rather than bearing the typical white milk paint or gilding.
Height 6". Length 25".
Reference:
A similar eagle is illustrated in The Bold Art & Brash Life of John Haley Bellamy by James A. Craig (Portsmouth Marine Society, no. 34, 2014), p. 99.

Original untouched condition. Eagle's head does not sit perfectly flush on body. Scattered minor loss of finish and paint. Small nicks. Two pairs of nail holes at the top of each wing, presumably from mounting, but one hole caused minor damage to front of left wing. UV examination reveals some small paint restorations to the flag.

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