The Perfect 10: Rating Carved Eagles

Randall Decoteau

Figures of carved wooden eagles were part of a wave of patriotic sentiment that swept the country after the Revolutionary War. Carvings of eagles were used in meeting halls, taverns and in public and semi-public spaces. Most were made by unknown craftsmen and most are unsigned.
Sometimes I’ve heard old-timers refer to these as pilot house eagles. However, those used on shipboard tend to exhibit rigid fastening devices on their backs and they usually show the effects of weather. Many of those produced in the late nineteenth century are signed. The most famous of these carvers was John Bellamy from Maine, whose carvings for the sterns of ships are well known.
The carvings depicted here are from the collections at Old Sturbridge Village, where I counted at least two dozen in their storage rooms. Only one very fine gilt eagle carving is on display in their clock gallery. The most iconic eagle in their collection was photographed years ago to serve as the logo for American Heritage Magazine.

Images are courtesy of Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01516, (508) 347-3362, www.osv.org.

Rated “10” best, is a well-executed and unique eagle carved from a single piece of hardwood. Details include the head, snake, arrows, shield and drapery. The original paint is still luminous and vibrant even though it has minor wear and a few chips. The wonderful patina adds, rather than detracts from, its appeal. The file card at Old Sturbridge Village includes the phrase “Eagle of the Mexican type,” which could refer to the red eyes and the snake. An eagle with a snake has been a symbol of Mexico since 1823. This splendid carving probably dates to around 1850. It measures 29 inches wide and 12 inches high. (#1.35.204)
Rated “6” good, is a disk of hand-planed white pine with an eagle holding an anchor carved in high relief. Stars are very shallowly carved around the lower edge. Looking very much like a military button, it is likely that this carving was used on a ship as a porthole cover. It is well weathered, but still shows a fair amount of gold paint, although the upper portion is almost black and the back is stained or weathered equally dark. This carving merits a “6” rating based on rarity alone, but the carver did a skillful job of creating good lines and crisp detail. The museum’s founder purchased this piece in Rockland, Maine in 1936. The carving probably dates to the mid 1800s. This eagle measures 15 inches in diameter. (#1.35.144)	Rated “8” better, is a carving purchased in 1939 from the same dealer as the previous example. This piece is a wall-mounted polychrome decorated, carved, wooden spread-eagle. It was made from assembled parts; even the stars are separate and glued in place. Other pieces are tacked or screwed together and the screws have post-1846 gimlet points. Tacks are made of wire. The eagle’s head is facing back and up to the left. Its feet clutch two arrows and a U.S. shield with four stars (two are missing). The 25 star flag also has missing stars. The piece exhibits excellent design, good balance, good overall condition and nice execution, but eagles assembled from parts are less challenging to an artist than those carved from a single piece of wood. There a few minor breaks and repairs, but the paint is original, though dull and muted. The piece measures 30 inches wide and 20 inches high and dates to roughly 1836-1860. (#1.35.180a-b)