Turnstile Whirligig

Description

A fragment from a large whirligig, this folk art hand-carved and painted carousel of figures dates to the 1920s or ’30s. With wooden gear still affixed underneath, the figures were designed to spin as the breeze turned the windmill.

As opposed to most folk art whirligigs, the piece is striking for its lack of a whimsical subject, with a movement replicating the banality of an urban turnstile or revolving door. The figures depict men and women, each uniform in appearance, taking similar poses and wearing the same drab colored clothing. Each is held in place with wire fastened to the center post and floats slightly above the red wooden disc.

With the larger whirligig damaged and in poor condition, I rescued the figures and placed them on the green wooden base depicted, on which they are still able to spin.

Condition

Very good.

Measurements

12 x 8 inches (on base).

Shipping

Free in the continental United States. If an international buyer, please contact me for a shipping estimate by clicking here.