Vintage Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted Bellamy Eagle With Shield

Description

Presented is a vintage Bellamy-style carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed … more Presented is a vintage Bellamy-style carved wooden eagle. This late 19th century to early 20th century wood eagle is bronze-brushed with a painted red, white, and blue shield and a bright red tongue. It supports a shield under its left wing as the head looks to its right. With detailed feathers and a glass bead eye, this stylized eagle is an interesting work of folk art.

The relief carving is styled after John Bellamy, a well known folk artist made popular in the late 19th century for his stylized eagles and ship carvings. True to Bellamy’s style, this eagle has a flattened top beak, a curved neck to mimic the eagle in flight, and dramatic eyes.

The eagle motif in décor and folk art has widely been used throughout much of US history and is brimming with meaning. Eagles in decorative and folk art became wildly popular and could be found on ordinary household items from butter packages to furniture. This deeply-rooted symbol is still relevant today and is closely tied to the idea of strength, freedom, and wisdom. less