[mizzllat]

Hi everyone. My name is Linda and, while I am not a carver, I am a great appreciator of your particular type of art. I work as an art researcher, and lately have been helping with the sale of a very fine, old Long Island estate. I've come across an object in the collection I want to offer, but it has me fairly well stumped. It is a large old platter that was obviously made by a Master Carver. (It really is quite extraordinary.) Unfortunately, on the surface, there is nothing that allows one to know who the artist might be. The only thing the owner- a respected artist, in his own right- recalls about it is that it was one of his mother's favorite pieces, and that she once told him she paid $24,000 to have it made (!). Although it seems unlikely, especially for its age, knowing the estate as I now do (as well as seeing the platter in all its glory), I find that I do not doubt the amount one bit.

What I am looking for from you all of good folk is some advice on just how I ought to go about identifying it. I've attached some photos so you can see the actual piece. It's a bit dusty in the shots as they were taken just after it was pulled from a dry sawdust-filled box. (Any idea what type of wood was used?) While I feel there may well be a signature under the linen, I'd like to leave it intact, if at all possible, or at least until I have some idea as to how to go about removing it, or having it removed, correctly. (Tips there would be greatly valued, too.) Besides the amount paid, the owner believes that it was made between 1910 and 1930.

Any suggestions at all on just who this Master of your art might be, or how I might track him or her down, would be really make my weekend!


Take good care,

Linda T.

[Robert Cahill]

Sorry, Wish I could help that is a beautiful carving

[Lynn O. Doughty]

I wouldn't even hazard a guess as to who made it or what type of wood was used. Sure is a beautiful piece of work. However, if any of that family is still around and buying wood carvings and wants to buy a couple of Kowboys I'll sell them some real nice ones for half of what they paid for the plate!!

[arapsang]

What a beautiful piece of work you've happened on. Its practically impossible to identify woods over the internet. My best advice to you would be to take it along to a reputable antique dealer for wood identification. The lack of prominent grain suggests lime (linden?) or one of the fruitwoods and I suppose beech might be a possibility though the colour looks too rich. The base of the platter suggests it was turned on a baseplate rather than a modern chuck. Usually green baize cloth is used to cover the fixing holes where the platter was held on the baseplate and to protect the table the platter rested on. It should have been glued on with animal glue and if you really have to you can steam it off, but seek professional help if you're not sure how to do it, You can do a lot of damage in a short time. The carving in the cartouches looks lively and well done with a sureness of touch. Does it show any wear on the prouder sufaces which would give clues to its age? Have you tried to clean,very gently, some small area at the back to see what sort of patina has developed over the years? Have you a local carvers group who might look at the gouge marks and facets to give you some idea of the types of tools used in the making of the piece.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

the center picture, just above the guy with the trident...looks like a seam, probably a reproduction..imho

[Gooch]

Well,it's not mine Hahah ! Beautiful piece of work though.If I could carve like that I would surely sign my work,Good luck with it !!!!!

[Ashbys]

It will be very difficulte to say who might have made the peice uless you can find where it may have been signed. The bottom you say is linen but it looks like old felt to me.

The peice is extreamly dirty and the edging looks to be a bit odd. But the pics are only fair and that can make a lot of difference. It is quite possible that she paid 24000.00 to have it made. In the early 1900s before the depression many had alot of money,
If she had that kind of money at that time it could have been produced anywhere. If it was a Master , then quite possibly Europe, if the wood is limewood again this would point to Europe. Without restoration to stop the cracking , and a good cleaning of the peice or knowing excatly who did the carving, or a closer time frame, it is a nice peice but will be I would think had pressed to bring the 24000 that it was purchased for.
But the work may not have been done by a master, there were many fine carver in the U.S. and many which worked for fine furiture makers, organ makers, and many other trades.
I afraid your going to have to have the linen remove and hope there is a date and a name, or tradesman stamp.

[Nancy-ID]

i noticed the same thing that Dave did, but it may be a crack or scratch. You need to find those antique roadshow guys Lee & Leslie What is that behind the plate in your last photo? Looks like it could be interesting.