Figure of a Violin Player

American, probably New York. Ca. 1850-1865.
White pine (identified by microanalysis)
Condition: Replaced violin strings and bridge, minor losses to some paint and varnish on the backside of the coat, right hand pinkie finger broken and re-glued, left hand thumb broken and re-glued. (both original), otherwise in a remarkable state of preservation.
Provenance: This piece has remained in a private collection in Connecticut for several
generations.
This rare and possibly unique carving of a street performer playing a violin shares many qualities and characteristics to the works of Charles Dodge, New York (1806-1886).
The Violin Player closely relates to the carving of Jim Crow attributed to Dodge now in the collection of The Shelburne Museum. The tattered clothes, to include the holes in the shoes and hat, the construction of the laminated pieces of wood and quality of the carving are similar to that of Jim Crow. The stylization and movement of both pieces are also closely related. The Violin Player is finished with both paint and varnish similar to other works by Dodge. The provenance of the piece is equally as important to support the origin of the piece. It was originally discovered at the turn of the century in a music shop in lower Manhattan. It was perhaps used as a counter top display figure. It has remained in the same private family collection to the present date.