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Elaborately Carved French Restoration Whistle browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Decorative Art: Organics: Wood: Pre 1837 VR: Item # 971300
AVERY ART & ANTIQUES 14380 Shoreline Highway Valley Ford, CA 94972-0419 707-876-3392 Guest Book $1400 |
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| In sixty years of collecting and dealing in antique coquille carvings, this is the most elaborate piece I have seen, a whistle in celebration of the newly established liberal laws of King Louis-Philippe, who described himself as “King of the French,” rather than “King of France.” A plaque inscribed “Loi de 1831” is guarded over by a seated lion, symbolizing royal authority. (At first I thought it was a poodle, which perhaps would also be appropriate.) He is flanked by two couples in exceptionally high relief: the king accepting the scroll of laws from a woman (Liberty?) and another man (the king again?) in knee britches dancing with a woman. On one end, a ferocious wart hog bursts through a finely carved hoop; on the other, a large-nosed creature has the mouthpiece of the metal whistle in his mouth. All this in a single piece only about 3-1/4 inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter! | |||||||||||||
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