Man in Top Hat with Canec. 189023 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 7 1/2"Paint and smoke decoration on woodMuseum purchase through the Joseph Martinson Memorial Fund, Frances and Paul Martinson1981.12.50Small carved figure of rotund gentleman wearing top hat and carrying a cane in right hand. Figure is stanidng uprright with arms by sides; wearing double brested black coat with straight hem and ten button, wide laples, white shirt and standard tie. Pants bell slightly at ankles above spats with three buttons on each side. Face crudely carved in shallow relief with applied ears. Standing on smoke-decorated square base set on top larger square with slightly chamfeared edges.1531921552Artist unidentifiedSculptureThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. United StatesThree Dimensional WorkseMuseum - Collection Highlights
Although a note in the file tells the story of how this piece was carved by a prisoner to depict the mayor of the town, Fred Fried tells a different tale. According to Mr. Fried, this figure is typical of those carved for display in the windows of tailor shops all over the East coast. The form is apparently a take-off on the track troutTrade figures were not limited to life-size carvings designed to stand outside the doorways of shops; there were also smaller figures designed for indoor use as counter displays. It is not known what original purpose this figure served, although the careful depiction of high buttoned boots, narrow pant legs, and other details of costume have led to speculation that the figure was used in a men’s haberdashery shop. The exaggerated posture, with overly rounded stomach, suggests it was meant as a caricature, much as “Girl of the Period” shop figures satirized women’s fashions.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Man in Top Hat with Cane," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 356.Small carved figure of rotund gentleman wearing top hat and carrying a cane in right hand. Figure is stanidng uprright with arms by sides; wearing double brested black coat with straight hem and ten button, wide laples, white shirt and standard tie. Pants bell slightly at ankles above spats with three buttons on each side. Face crudely carved in shallow relief with applied ears. Standing on smoke-decorated square base set on top larger square with slightly chamfeared edges.18851895 1981 12 5 Although a note in the file tells the story of how this piece was carved by a prisoner to depict the mayor of the town, Fred Fried tells a different tale. According to Mr. Fried, this figure is typical of those carved for display in the windows of tailor shops all over the East coast. The form is apparently a take-off on the track troutTrade figures were not limited to life-size carvings designed to stand outside the doorways of shops; there were also smaller figures designed for indoor use as counter displays. It is not known what original purpose this figure served, although the careful depiction of high buttoned boots, narrow pant legs, and other details of costume have led to speculation that the figure was used in a men’s haberdashery shop. The exaggerated posture, with overly rounded stomach, suggests it was meant as a caricature, much as “Girl of the Period” shop figures satirized women’s fashions.
Stacy C. Hollander, "Man in Top Hat with Cane," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 356.Small carved figure of rotund gentleman wearing top hat and carrying a cane in right hand. Figure is stanidng uprright with arms by sides; wearing double brested black coat with straight hem and ten button, wide laples, white shirt and standard tie. Pants bell slightly at ankles above spats with three buttons on each side. Face crudely carved in shallow relief with applied ears. Standing on smoke-decorated square base set on top larger square with slightly chamfeared edges.