Marshall Fleming (1930–2016) Folk Art Circus Wagon — “Flemingo Circus / Cheetah”

Hand-carved and painted wooden folk art circus wagon by noted West Virginia folk artist Marshall B. Fleming. The piece features a pair of carved draft horses with leather tack and brass tacks, pulling a red-and-white painted cage wagon labeled “Flemingo Circus / Cheetah.” The circus title is rendered in cut-out lettering applied to the wagon sides, a technique Fleming occasionally used alongside painted decoration. A spotted cat figure rests inside the barred cage, with applied clown imagery on the sides. 

This is a true mixed-media construction, combining hand carving, painted surfaces, applied lettering, and printed graphics — all characteristic of Fleming’s creative folk style.

Attribution & Documentation:

• Marshall Fleming is well-documented for creating carved wagons and circus-themed works.

• A published example appears in Woodward S. Bousquet’s article Work, Family, and Faith: Marshall Fleming’s Folk Art (Appalachian Journal, 1992), which illustrates a wagon labeled “Black Panther” with the same horse-and-cage format.

• This example is distinguished by its applied “Flemingo Circus / Cheetah” title, showing Fleming produced variations with different animals and lettering treatments.

• Fleming generally identified his work with a small gold foil sticker label (often now missing). The construction style, subject matter, and details are consistent with his known output.

Details:

• Materials: Carved and painted wood, leather harness, brass tacks, wire bars, applied paper/lettering

• Draft horse team with applied manes/tails and decorative tack

• Wagon painted red and white with clown graphics and circus lettering

• Dimensions: Base: 29" long x 10" wide.   The wagon and horses are around 21" Long.  Overall height is 12"-13" tall 

Condition:
Overall good original condition with expected signs of age and folk construction.

• The small gold foil sticker label Fleming often used to identify his work is no longer present, which is common for his pieces.

• One horse shows yellowing of the adhesive at the harness area.

• One blinder has unfolded slightly but remains securely attached.

• Minor nail lift visible on the base.

• General surface discoloration, small paint wear, and imperfections throughout, consistent with the handmade nature of the piece.

These issues are typical of Fleming’s work and do not detract from the strong display presence of the wagon.

A rare and display-worthy example of Marshall Fleming’s circus wagon folk art, with direct comparison to a published example for provenance.