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William Edmonson Carved Birdbath

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(c. 1870-1951) . c. 1935 Limestone. 36 h x 12.75 base width x 19 bowl diameter Est. $30,000 - $40,000 Buyer Responsible for Shipping. This lot includes an impressive notebook of letters & appraisals by leading authorities & documents supporting the attribution of William Edmonson as the carver. One of the most significant documents is a letter from Michael Hall, expert in American art. Hall states that, “it is very probable that the carver of the birdbath was William Edmonson of Nashville, TN.” Hall concluded that this sculpture was crafted by Edmonson because of the strong oral provenance provided by original owner. Also included is a hand written letter by Louise Harris whose grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Woods, purchased this birdbath prior to WWII. The birdbath was on the family property since it was originally purchased until it was sold to Williams Galleries in ‘04. Hall mentions that, “the fact that the piece was discovered in the yard of the home of an African American Woman living near the neighborhood where Edmonson once lived is a strong indicator.” He also noted that almost all the birdbaths came from the yards near Edmonson’s home. In fact, “white collectors typically purchased figures & animals but the black neighbors clearly admired and sought out his non-figurative yard ornaments,” sites Hall. The birdbaths actually consist of three elements assembled in the same pattern...Hall points out that the base and basin of this birdbath most likely had a “previous life” as part of an architectural element of a stone building. This practice was quite common for Edmonson who often “appropriated & recycled architectural discards for his work and then made them his own by modifying them to fit his vision.” Hall remarks that although the point marks & shaping of both speak of Edmonson’s hand, it is the central column where “beyond any question, we see the hand of Edmondson.”

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