ANTIQUE PAPER MACHE CHRISTMAS BELSNICKLE SANTA W/ TREE

  This is the most amazing old belsnickle. He was purchased at an antique auction on the eastern shore of Maryland. The owner told me that he got him along with several others from a house in Pennsyvania many years ago. I purchased the others from him the following week. They are slightly different from this one and a little cleaner. I will be listing these within the next few weeks. I can't say exactly when he was made but I know that he is really old. He's dirty and has a "earthy" smell to him. It's not bad, just an old smell.  I haven't tried to clean him. He's being sold exactly as I got him.  He has no markings. I am not an expert on these old belsnickles so please use the many photos that I have provided. Enlarge them and use them as apart of the description. The zoom is available for close-ups. If you have any questions, email me and I'll do my best to answer them. 

 He measures 15.5 inches high and is 4.5 inches across the bottom of the base. He's made of paper mache and is hollow. As I said before, he's dirty but nothing comes off on my hands when I handle him. There's a green painted? wood feather tree branch with a few feathers left on it in a hole on his side. One branch tip is broken off exposing the wood tip.  The feather quills are wrapped and held on the branch by thin copper wire. Attached to the branches by copper wire are three hand painted carved wood birds measuring from 3" to 3.5". The legs seem to be made of metal. copper I think. One bird has some scratches in the paint. The bottom of the base is still attached and has turned a dark earthy brown color. The condition of the paper mache is  good but there are some cracks to the base on and around one boot but it is stable and is not coming apart. (see photo)  Please note also that the tree branch has been recently glued in the hole. The previous owner told me that he glued the branch in because "it wouldn't stay in".  It's a white glue that is rock solid. (see photo 3 & 8 ) This is an old piece with imperfections so If you are looking for a perfect piece, this is not it.  If you are a collector, this belsnickle will make a wonderful addition to your collection. Additional photos upon request. Thank you for viewing and bidding on my auction.

 Sorry, No international bidding on this auction