WHAT: It doesn't look much like the heroic, full body, spread-winged bald eagle symbol of America, but a 26-inch high carved pine eagle may be closer to nature.
Attributed to German immigrant Wilhelm Schimmel and made sometime between 1865 and 1890, the eagle sold for $427,500 last month at Christie's New York. The result set a new record at auction for a Schimmel carving. The maker is considered a master of American folk art. Pre-sale estimate was $100,000 to $150,000.
MORE: An itinerant carver around Carlisle, Pa., Schimmel was a loner who traded his carved animals for room and board. He carved many other animals, but especially eagles.
This masterfully carved eagle, made from local pine, is distinguished for its large size, elongated form and detail. Carving the wings and body separately, Schimmel created detailed, choppy feathers. After priming, he painted the piece with red, brown, green and yellow paints that can still be seen.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Unsigned, the piece cannot definitively be traced to Schimmel. But it bears all the characteristics of his other work. In this case, "attributed to" did not hurt value. Obviously.
HOT TIP: Schimmel's work is in major art museums, including the Winterthur Museum Garden and Library in Delaware, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
BOTTOM LINE: The fact that Schimmel is a known master of American folk art, especially carved eagles, and is included in important museum exhibitions, boosted both demand and the high result. The unusual size and form of this eagle was another plus.
