Condition: Antique pre-owned condition with considerable age-related wear consistent with a handmade piece dated 1936. There are scratches, scuffs, areas of paint loss, discoloration, edge wear and other surface wear throughout. The black shelf surface has visible scratching and finish wear, including a small chipped/damaged area near the front edge as shown. The decorative gold-tone metal trim also shows age and wear. No attempt has been made to restore, repaint, refinish or otherwise alter the piece. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.

Wonderful and unusual 1936 hand-painted American folk art wooden wall shelf featuring a striking stylized bird surrounded by an oversized flower and leafy foliage. The bird is painted primarily in vibrant orange and yellow with muted green, blue-green and black accents, giving the piece a bold and whimsical folk-art appearance.

The shelf is handmade from wood with a cut-out silhouette and a semicircular projecting shelf measuring approximately 4.5 inches from front to back. The front curved edge is embellished with decorative gold-tone metal trim secured to the wood with numerous tiny nails/tacks. A metal hanging ring is attached at the top for wall display.

The exposed wooden reverse is hand dated 1936 and signed/inscribed by the original maker or artist. The old handwritten signature is faint and difficult to decipher. It appears the name may possibly read Mary Wilkens, Weilkens, Wielkens, or similar, but the exact spelling cannot be confirmed. No specific artist attribution is being made.

Measures approximately 11 inches tall × 7 inches wide × 4.5 inches front to back.

A very distinctive piece of early American decorative folk art with wonderful visual character. The combination of the figural bird design, oversized floral motif, bold original painted decoration, handmade wooden construction, applied metal edging, and signed and dated reverse makes this an especially interesting survivor from the 1930s.

This would make an excellent addition to a collection of American folk art, Americana, primitive décor, antique painted wood, bird collectibles, or early 20th-century handmade decorative arts.

Please examine all photographs closely for exact condition, construction, paint wear, age-related imperfections, inscription and details. Due to its age and handmade nature, irregularities in the wood, paint and construction are present and are part of the character and history of the piece.

Dated 1936 • Signed/Inscribed • Hand Painted • Handmade Wood Construction • Applied Gold-Tone Metal Trim • Approximately 11" × 7" × 4.5"

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