{"product_id":"hand-carved-american-folk-art-fish-mid-20th-century-15-inches-in-length","title":"Hand-Carved American Folk Art Fish  Mid-20th Century 15 inches in length","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarved from a single solid block of wood, this striking American folk art fish embodies the bold, graphic spirit of mid-century vernacular carving. The sculptor shaped the form with confident, deliberate cuts — raised relief-carved eyes emerging from heavy brows, deeply stepped gill plates, and rhythmic V-tool chevron incisions running the length of the body like armor plating.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe tail fans outward with radiating knife work, while the incised scale pattern creates a dynamic play of light and shadow across the surface. The original hand-applied polychrome paint — layered olive green with red wash at the gills and tail and black dot accents — has aged beautifully, revealing areas of honest wear that only enhance its sculptural depth and authenticity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery tool mark remains visible. Nothing is concealed. The carving retains the immediacy of the maker’s hand — bold, direct, and expressive rather than naturalistic. It is not a working decoy, but a decorative camp or lodge carving meant to celebrate the fish as symbol — abundance, sport, and the mythology of the American outdoors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe elongated profile gives the piece strong mantel or shelf presence, with a commanding silhouette that reads from across the room. An excellent example of American folk sculpture where form, surface, and spirit converge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Folkism Antiques LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44288495878253,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0658\/1957\/4381\/files\/WhatsAppImage2026-02-26at3.50.25PM.jpg?v=1772139170","url":"https:\/\/folkismantiques.com\/products\/hand-carved-american-folk-art-fish-mid-20th-century-15-inches-in-length","provider":"Folkism Antiques LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}