Charles Sayles plaque 3 whales w sperm
19227
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Details
- Age
- 1935
- Style
- Vintage Nantucket
- Artist
- Charles Sayle
- Origin
- Nantucket
- Material
- Wood and Ebony carved whales
- Condition
- Good with some tail edge loss of paint
- Dimensions
- 10'' H x 5'' W
- Estimated Value
- $2,000.00
Conflicts
No open conflicts between this record’s accounts.
Description
Imported
Vertical three wheel plaque with carved whales of Ebony, right whale, sperm whale, and bowhead whale
Artist Bio
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Conversation
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Research
Context
The plaque is classified as American folk art.
Context
Sayle commonly inscribed species plaques with his signature, place, and full calendar date (e.g., 'C.F. Sayle, Nantucket, Mass. December 5, 1953').
Type
The object is a vertical three-whale species plaque designed for wall mounting.
Materials
The three whales are carved in a dark hardwood, identified as ebony or a similar dark hardwood.
Context
The plaque originates from Nantucket, Massachusetts; a prior record entry of 'Imported' is invalid and has been discarded.
Materials
The plaque is not painted.
Description
The center whale is a sperm whale, confirmed by its squared head and underslung jaw.
Description
The top whale displays ventral throat pleats and a small posterior dorsal fin, identifying it as a rorqual (finback or sulphur bottom), not a right whale as previously recorded.
Description
The bottom whale lacks a dorsal fin and has an arched head, consistent with a bowhead or right whale.
Description
The plaque is recorded as 10 inches high by 5 inches wide, though photographic proportions suggest approximately 1.4:1 rather than 2:1; re-measurement is recommended.
Description
The condition of the plaque is good, with minor finish wear at the fluke tips consistent with age and handling.
Description
No paint is present on the plaque; a prior condition note referencing loss of paint has been withdrawn as unsupported.
Description
No date is visible in the photographed area of the reverse; the prior record entry of '1935 BC' is invalid and has been discarded.
Materials
The whales are mounted on a hardwood board with a molded edge, probably walnut.
Owner Notes
Owner
Owner confirmed this value estimate, per a research report: Sayle small-format carvings such as pins and tie clips are estimated at $300–$600 at Rafael Osona Auctions, Nantucket.
Owner
Owner confirmed this value estimate, per a research report: The owner's estimate of $2,000 for the plaque is carried as unverified pending formal appraisal.
Owner
Owner confirmed this attribution, per a research report: The plaque was made by Charles F. 'Charlie' Sayle Sr. (1908–1998) of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Owner
Owner confirmed this attribution, per a research report: The plaque is signed 'C.F. SAYLE' in incised block capitals on the center of the reverse.
Owner
Owner confirmed this attribution, per a research report: The signature 'C.F. SAYLE' distinguishes the maker from his son Bill Sayle, who signed 'W. Sayle'.
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