Rare Wilhelm Schimmel carved eagle
Updated August 26, 2026
| Lot number | 530 |
| Auction | September Cataloged Antique Auction |
| Date | September 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT |
| Auction house | Horst Auctioneers |
| Location | Ephrata, Pennsylvania |
ca. dated 1888; Initialed "W.S", signed and dated on base, attributed to be by noted immigrant carver Wilhelm Schimmel (1817-1890), a transient folk art carver working primarily in Cumberland Co., PA. The small size whittled and chip carved eaglet has head facing right, relief carved wings, long tail feathers and relief carved feet on a uniform base that connects to the tail. The eagle's red painted head has carved eyes and added beak, lower belly retains white painted ground, shoulders and body in green paint and multi-tones of red and yellow paints throughout wings and tail. Note to the bottom states "The last one", possibly indicating the maker's last intended work(?); 2 5/8"H; [Provenance: From the collection of John Wills, York, PA. The polychrome painted carving was purchased at Zelma's Emporium without a beak. At that time there was an applied label to the base that attributed the work to Aaron Mountz. During conservation to the beak, the paper label disintegrated revealing the original initials and date. The conservator tested paints for authenticity and revealed no problems. The owner then took the eagle to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to test the ink to bottom of the work and revealed that there was no question that it was untouched (original).]; Condition: **Note in cataloging the piece was black lighted. The body surfaces were dull and accurate with some evidence of reflection to head, possibly from marrying of paints during restoration to the beak. Believed to be authentic work by Wilhelm Schimmel.
