Exceptional Artifact & Collectible Auction
Lot 507:
1970s Ohio Pipestone Figure – Donnie Lemons Carving
This hand carved seated figure is an authentic example of Donnie Lemons work from the 1970s. It was created during the period when he and fellow Pike County carver Billy Guthrie were producing the majority of modern Ohio pipestone carvings circulating in the Midwest. Their close friendship and constant exchange of ideas led to a shared aesthetic making many pieces difficult to attribute without family confirmation. In this case the attribution comes directly from Lemons son who recognized the carving as his fathers work.
The figure is carved from Ohio pipestone a material both artists favored for its smooth working qualities and warm reddish tones. The stylized human form the squared object held against the chest and the compact seated posture all reflect the design vocabulary common to the Guthrie Lemons circle.
One of the most reliable ways to distinguish their work is the finishing method.
Billy Guthrie heated his finished carvings on top of his stove producing a subtle checked or crazed surface.
Donnie Lemons by contrast wrapped his carvings in aluminum foil and baked them in the oven giving them a smoother more even heat set finish without the characteristic checking.
This piece displays the smooth uniform surface consistent with Donnies oven baked finish. This further supports the family attribution.
A well preserved and representative example of the 1970s Pike County pipestone carving tradition. A fine piece of Donnie Lemons artistic legacy.
Measures 2 1/2 in tall.
Condition: Modern
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