Wilhelm Schimmel eagle carvings fly to the top of the folk art market
Boasting a 21-in wingspan, this carved spread wing eagle in original paint sold for $35,000 plus the buyer’s premium in October 2014 at Flying Pig Auctions.
NEW YORK — Itinerant carver Wilhelm Schimmel (Germany and America, 1817-1890) was certainly a colorful character. He was known for having a rough and tumble life, punctuated by heavy drinking, bouts with the law, and possibly cheating death a few times. He emigrated to Pennsylvania from Germany around 1860 and became known as one of America’s most talented folk art carvers. His eagle wood carvings with fine detail and crosshatching are particularly coveted.
