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Whimsey in Lamp
Date Added: 26 November 2006
This is a folk art whimsey made by Amos L. Beiler. The whimsey was built inside a glass kerosene lamp. All of the pieces used in the whimsey are cut from thin pieces of various colored and painted wood. This is a wood scene showing foliage and animals. The scene sits on a three pieces of wood slats approximately 1/4" x 1/2" glued together and glued to the bottom of the lamp. On the base are two rabbits in natural wood. Behind each rabbit is a long dowel with three large flowers resembling dogwood blossoms along the length of the dowel. There is a small branch with three smaller branches supporting it on the base. At the top of the branch is a large bird with its tail feathers cut into thin sections and then spread to fan out and interlock to make the shape of the bird's tail. Behind this branch is another dowel that has a flower near the bottom and another one at the top. Behind this dowel is a squirrel cut out like the rabbits. There are three other flower blossoms near the base. In front of the base are four leave shapes with the veins drawn on. A large flower blossom is in the center of these leaves. On the back of the lamp is a long green stem with leaves and two blue flowers with yellow centers painted on. The lamp's metal parts are from P&A Manufacturing Co Waterbury Conn. and the lamp and shade would date to C. 1890-1920. Amos L. Beiler, a Mennonite folk artist of Narvon, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was born in 1888 and died in 1984.
Type: Wooden Whimsey in Lamp   Maker's Name: Beiler, Amos
Category: Whimsey   Made Where: Narvon, Pennsylvania
Bottle Size: 12 3/4" x 4 1/2"   Year Made: 1970's
Bottle Type: Kerosene Lamp