American Folk Art- A Coastal Homeowner's Nautical Inspired Collection

Nautical inspired folk art with a country flair.

Throughout the years, we have had the great fortune at Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery to meet some really fine people who have become customers and also good friends. Some share our passion in collecting and are "ready at the helm" when great new objects are found. These collectors share the same compassion for great nautical-themed folk art as I do and we are equally as pleased to see these exceptional items find a place in such a wanting home. Our friends are kind enough to now share some of  their favorite discoveries with you. Enjoy!

(Top Picture)  A carved and painted contemporary "sailors Valentine"  was created by Jac & Patricia Johnson, two of my favorite folk artists working today. Their work is simply wonderful. The double heart-shaped valentine with carved lace edge features a hollowed out center with angels and painted verse with country and marine designs. As the poem reads "I hold you in my heart for god hath placed you there; I hold you there my darling for I know you truly care. You have been so very faithful through each passing year. I love you more than ever, In my heart I hold you dear." You can only imagine such verse written and given to a loved one from a saddened sailor before heading out to sea for an undetermined length of time...maybe forever!
Placed below the sailors valentine is a vintage ships in a bottle featuring a pair of  racing schooners. This fine work of art even had  sailors up in the masts! To the right is one of my all time favorite items, a lamp made with an antique birdhouse modeled after a famous New England lighthouse and mounted onto a thick piece of old driftwood pine. These pieces are displayed upon the owners 19th century paint-decorated blanket chest.

This whaling diorama that is displayed above a blue plaid sofa in the family room was also created by Jac and Patricia Johnson. It features a carved "harpooned" white whale and whalers skiff applied to a painted board with sailing ship in background and a sailors account to the event written across the total art piece.


The simple rounded and stylized contours of this primitive whale perched upon the top of an oak armoire convey an impertinent energy. This handcrafted weathervane was created by New Jersey folk artist Steve Hazlett from a single 100+year old heart pine board salvaged from a barn located in Bath, NY. Antique copper flashing was applied to the tail and outer edge of whale. Blue and gray buttermilk paint was applied in numerous layers to give the piece a dry and crusty as-found appearance.

 An antique New England schooner weathervane stands sentinel by the living room fireplace. The weathervane was created with a painted wooden hull and tin sails. She is still attached to it's original metal roof mounting base.

Visit these other Skipjack's Nautical Living articles featuring American folk art:

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/04/nautical-folk-art-dealers-passion.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/sailors-valentines-gift-of-love.html

http://skipjacksnauticalliving.blogspot.com/2010/02/from-sidewalks-to-rooftops-outdoor-folk.html

Nautical Folk Art- A Dealers Passion

Shad carved from white cedar by Jac & Tricia Johnson for Skipjack Nautical Wares.  L 72" W 24" D 4

I feel inclined to begin this blog by stating that throughout the 30 plus years of being a dealer, appraiser and collector of period American Furniture as well as fine and decorative arts, that I have received the greatest pleasure from collecting American folk art. We have also been fortunate to have represented some of the best contemporary folk artist from around our great country. Our focus today of course is nautical/marine folk art, both period and contemporary and a number of collectors have found their way into our gallery doors to acquire them. Here are a few great examples that have adorned the rooms and walls of Skipjack throughtout the years.

This early 20th century sailor-made folk compass box was hand-carved from walnut with whale bone clasp and keep. A carving of a mermaid carrying a light in oval adorns the top of the lid and a carved star in circle centered on the box front. The gimballed compass was made by Wilcox & Crittendon and dated to the 1920's.

Essex Whaler Weathervane by Steve Hazlett

This elegant ship and whale weathervane depicts the classic whaler Essex boat guided by Captain George Pollard, out of Nantucket on August 12th, 1819. This weathervane captures the history of this great voyage.It was perhaps an incomparable aid in forecasting the maritime weather. Although the boat motif is popular in maritime folk art, wooden examples are rarely found today, merely due to the unpredictable weather conditions in New England that these boat weathervanes endured. Handcrafted from a single heart pine beam and board. Iron and copper is applied to the piece. Cream, green, gray and blue buttermilk paint is applied in numerous layers to produce an as-found crusty appearance. The piece is hallmarked and placed on a metal museum mount for display. Carved by New York folk artist Steve Hazlett. 45L by 36H by 4D Folk art carvings by Steve Hazlett

Early 20th century folk made sailboat with wooden sails, artist unknown.

This early 20th sailboat featured all wood construction including the sails with painted composition seas. This example would typically be found in a wooden diorama box.

"Deep Sea Charter" trade sign hand-carved and painted by Jac & Tricia Johnson.

This wonderful marine folk art trade sign is reminiscent of the days of Ernest Hemingway where deep sea fishing was prevalent at many fishing marinas. This sailfish was hand-carved from cedar and measured 60 inches in length.  

Marine folk art carving of a horseshoe crab by Jac & Trishia Johnson.

Another favorite carving created by the Johnson's was this Horseshoe crab carved out of yellow pine with walnut stained finish. The horseshoe crab is wall hung with kinetic tail (swings) L 36" W 24" D 4-6"

19th century sailor-made rope basket

Sometimes wonderful folk created pieces are quite simple in construction. I can envision a sailor making this knotted basket during his leisure time aboard a great sailing ship.

Early 20th century mermaid weathervane, artist unknown

This New England weathevane was hand-carved and painted then applied to a metal arrow directional.  Artist unknow.  Measured approximately 30 inches in length. Wall mounted using a custom made iron bracket.

Hunter and  dog weathervane, early 20th century

The provenance that accompanied this unique (almost comical) weathervane suggests that it once decorated the roof of an old hunting lodge from the Back Bay region of North Carolina. Constructed from two sheets of metal creating a full-bodied perspective and mounted on a metal directional. Retained an old dark red painted surface and mounted onto contemporary wooden stand.

We will be featuring other great nautical folk carvings in the weeks to come including pictures from a customers private collection. You can read more about American folk art by visiting our blog "From Sidewalks to Rooftops": Outdoor Folk Art. 
Click here to go to Skipjack's Nautical Living home page.