Rare Wood Folk Art Hand Carved Shoemaker by Andre Bourgault Signed

  

Literally one of the most beautiful pieces in my collection, this is from the early 1950s or late 40s I believe. Carved signature on the base. Andre Bourgault is one of three famous carving brothers from St. He has several sculptures in the Canadian Museum of History, Musee McCort and the Musee de Sculpture sur bois des Anciens Canadiens. Andre tends to be more popular among museums and collectors than his brothers.

Where they did many religious commissions, Andre strictly carved townspeople such as sailors, farmers, the elderly, etc. Bourgault's sculptures are superior in quality to all other St. This is demonstrated by the exquisitely carved faces and fingers, accurate perspective and natural poses. Gorgeous aged wood with some dents and scratches due to age.

The old man does swivel but shouldn't, the felt should probably be removed/replaced and the screw can be tightend. The back piece is also loose from people picking it up from the back versus the base piece.

If I can find the matching old woman bookend I'll put them up as a pair. Measures approximately 6 x 5.5 x 6.5 inches in size.