Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 298:
Southern Folk Art Carved Melo (Bailer) Shell with American Eagle, c.1880–1910
Large antique Melo bailer shell hand carved with an Americaneagle. Found in Georgia and likely made as Southern folk artcirca 1880 to 1910.
The shell measures about 14 x 9 1 2 x 5 in and shows the classicMelo form with a rounded inward curving apex a spiral ofdecreasing knobs around a raised center and a smooth polishedbody surface.
The carving is clearly hand tooled with sharp V ended cuts deeprelief and clean pierced areas. This is consistent with late19th to early 20th century craftsmanship. Patriotic eaglemotifs were common in American folk art of the period. CarvedMelo shells are very rare especially with United Statessymbolism.
Condition is excellent for age with no cracks repairs orflaking. A striking and uncommon example of American folk artcarved on an exotic Indo Pacific shell.
Note Legal for sale within the United States. US shipping only.
Ex Dave Wally Collection
Condition: Authentic
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