hand carved folk art canoe with Inked text and drawings
Date: February 16, 1933
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0029
Classification: Decorative Arts
Subject:
art,
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
all: 62.2 × 9.5 × 8.3 cm (24 1/2 × 3 3/4 × 3 1/4 in.)
Accessories: none
Description:
David W. Fox shumac wood hand carved, decorated and finished canoe with handwritten text and drawings, signed and dated by the maker with two eyehooks for hanging. The carving is in fair to good condition and an interesting example of Folk or Outsider Art.
In Collection(s)
SignedYes, by the Maker David W. Fox
Inscribed(Penned in ink on the hull of the hand carved canoe)
(On one side)
The dear old home with father and mother. They are: treasures that gold cannot buy. A place to live, and rest, and dream – or silence is eloquence and only God is near. “Be still -and know that I am God; I am the redeemer, I will take care of thee.”
(Around a drawing of a smal cabin with two tree trunks )
“ In God we trust”
A worm friend
Love
Cast they bread upon the waters; for thou shout find it after many days. “Cast they bread upon the waters, you who have abundance store; it may float on many it may strand on many ashore; you may think it lost forever, but as sure as(unreadable)... In this life, or in the other, it will get returned to you. Yes he who in his righteous balance, Doth Each human action weigh, well your sacrifice remember, will your loving deeds repay.
No frozen seas in Arctic zone – is quieter than thIs scene. No tidal wave – or earths recoil, could so much to me mean. For youth did paint on memory’s canvas, scenes that we hold dear. We recall them in days after, clearly they appear. The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled clover. The pond that we waded, the hills we roamed over. The old swim-in-hole with waters so fine. Our clothes on the grapevine: used for a line. The dear old Meadow – with new moon hay. Sending its fragrance so far away. That cool Spring run, in and out among the trees. Many times we waited it: up to our knees. The tall grown oaks – with our warm friends on high. In the cabin, beneath. Let me live and die. But once more let us look on memory’s book. That youthful days did bring. For if we could – we surely would; live them over again.
(On the reverse side)
Oh swish and sway, swirl and unfurl again; you green girdled mother of men. Be music to thy God - were no human feet have ever tried. But let me find inbound all around, with a host of loving friends, which is next only to the love Of heaven. The boat is loaded to the gunwhailes – with precious and immortal souls. Don’t rock the boat – with envy, anger, hatred, strife, or murder. With these you cannot land. Our Larboard is light. Our starboard is bright. Lift the anchors. Loose the rudders. Hoist the sails. We are going to a brighter Dwelling, than we have yet to see. Where the tree of life is blooming, and the fields are evergreen. Going for our full redemption, when our Savior will restore; all that sin has caused to wither: age and sorrow - come no more.
Only waiting till my pilot opens wide the pearly gates; at whose portals -long I’ve lingered, we are poor and desolate. Even now I hear their footsteps -and their voice is far away, if they called me I am waiting; only waiting to obey. “God is love “
Be virtuous - live and help others to live. Through Christ we conquer.
(On one end)
Aim high, and hold your aim. But lower your hindsight; be humble.
(On the other end)
Shumac wood. Hand carved decorated and finished by David W Fox of Tara, pa
February 16,1933.
(On the ends of the inside of the canoe)
Farewell mortality.
All aboard for Heaven. Christ the Pilot.
(On one side)
The dear old home with father and mother. They are: treasures that gold cannot buy. A place to live, and rest, and dream – or silence is eloquence and only God is near. “Be still -and know that I am God; I am the redeemer, I will take care of thee.”
(Around a drawing of a smal cabin with two tree trunks )
“ In God we trust”
A worm friend
Love
Cast they bread upon the waters; for thou shout find it after many days. “Cast they bread upon the waters, you who have abundance store; it may float on many it may strand on many ashore; you may think it lost forever, but as sure as(unreadable)... In this life, or in the other, it will get returned to you. Yes he who in his righteous balance, Doth Each human action weigh, well your sacrifice remember, will your loving deeds repay.
No frozen seas in Arctic zone – is quieter than thIs scene. No tidal wave – or earths recoil, could so much to me mean. For youth did paint on memory’s canvas, scenes that we hold dear. We recall them in days after, clearly they appear. The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled clover. The pond that we waded, the hills we roamed over. The old swim-in-hole with waters so fine. Our clothes on the grapevine: used for a line. The dear old Meadow – with new moon hay. Sending its fragrance so far away. That cool Spring run, in and out among the trees. Many times we waited it: up to our knees. The tall grown oaks – with our warm friends on high. In the cabin, beneath. Let me live and die. But once more let us look on memory’s book. That youthful days did bring. For if we could – we surely would; live them over again.
(On the reverse side)
Oh swish and sway, swirl and unfurl again; you green girdled mother of men. Be music to thy God - were no human feet have ever tried. But let me find inbound all around, with a host of loving friends, which is next only to the love Of heaven. The boat is loaded to the gunwhailes – with precious and immortal souls. Don’t rock the boat – with envy, anger, hatred, strife, or murder. With these you cannot land. Our Larboard is light. Our starboard is bright. Lift the anchors. Loose the rudders. Hoist the sails. We are going to a brighter Dwelling, than we have yet to see. Where the tree of life is blooming, and the fields are evergreen. Going for our full redemption, when our Savior will restore; all that sin has caused to wither: age and sorrow - come no more.
Only waiting till my pilot opens wide the pearly gates; at whose portals -long I’ve lingered, we are poor and desolate. Even now I hear their footsteps -and their voice is far away, if they called me I am waiting; only waiting to obey. “God is love “
Be virtuous - live and help others to live. Through Christ we conquer.
(On one end)
Aim high, and hold your aim. But lower your hindsight; be humble.
(On the other end)
Shumac wood. Hand carved decorated and finished by David W Fox of Tara, pa
February 16,1933.
(On the ends of the inside of the canoe)
Farewell mortality.
All aboard for Heaven. Christ the Pilot.
Functiondecorative
Historical AttributesAccording to The Colonial Williamsburg Tramp Art Collection, David W. Fox "... is said to have started carving at the age 14 and suffered from an affliction that prevented him from receiving more than a few hours of sleep each night. A 1931 newspaper story claimed that 60,000 people visited his home between 1928 and 193(?) to see his sculptures.; by 1940 another newspaper claimed the number of visitors was 300,000." Although seemingly boastful and exaggerated, the October 17, 1939 edition of the Uniontown, PA newspaper "The Morning Herald" published an article on Fox and notes; "two brothers, David W. and John W. Fox carved almost 10,000 pieces of furniture and souvenirs...Fox carvings have found their way into every state in the Union and five foreign countries...well versed in the Bible, church services are often conducted in the Fox home with Mr. Fox presiding"
Curatorial RemarksThe object is in Fair to Good condition with some bleeding of the ink, blurring out a few words of text and some cracks in the Shumac Wood on either end, both shown in detailed images.
Very little is known about the maker David W. Fox save that he was a preacher and was known for his unusual art works.
Penned in ink on the hull of the canoe:
(On one side)
The dear old home with father and mother. They are: treasures that gold cannot buy. A place to live, and rest, and dream – or silence is eloquence and only God is near. “Be still -and know that I am God; I am the redeemer, I will take care of thee.”
(Around a drawing of a smal cabin with two tree trunks )
“ In God we trust”
A worm friend
Love
Cast they bread upon the waters; for thou shout find it after many days. “Cast they bread upon the waters, you who have abundance store; it may float on many it may strand on many ashore; you may think it lost forever, but as sure as(unreadable)... In this life, or in the other, it will get returned to you. Yes he who in his righteous balance, Doth Each human action weigh, well your sacrifice remember, will your loving deeds repay.
No frozen seas in Arctic zone – is quieter than thIs scene. No tidal wave – or earths recoil, could so much to me mean. For youth did paint on memory’s canvas, scenes that we hold dear. We recall them in days after, clearly they appear. The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled clover. The pond that we waded, the hills we roamed over. The old swim-in-hole with waters so fine. Our clothes on the grapevine: used for a line. The dear old Meadow – with new moon hay. Sending its fragrance so far away. That cool Spring run, in and out among the trees. Many times we waited it: up to our knees. The tall grown oaks – with our warm friends on high. In the cabin, beneath. Let me live and die. But once more let us look on memory’s book. That youthful days did bring. For if we could – we surely would; live them over again.
(On the reverse side)
Oh swish and sway, swirl and unfurl again; you green girdled mother of men. Be music to thy God - were no human feet have ever tried. But let me find inbound all around, with a host of loving friends, which is next only to the love Of heaven. The boat is loaded to the gunwhailes – with precious and immortal souls. Don’t rock the boat – with envy, anger, hatred, strife, or murder. With these you cannot land. Our Larboard is light. Our starboard is bright. Lift the anchors. Loose the rudders. Hoist the sails. We are going to a brighter Dwelling, than we have yet to see. Where the tree of life is blooming, and the fields are evergreen. Going for our full redemption, when our Savior will restore; all that sin has caused to wither: age and sorrow - come no more.
Only waiting till my pilot opens wide the pearly gates; at whose portals -long I’ve lingered, we are poor and desolate. Even now I hear their footsteps -and their voice is far away, if they called me I am waiting; only waiting to obey. “God is love “
Be virtuous - live and help others to live. Through Christ we conquer.
(On one end)
Aim high, and hold your aim. But lower your hindsight; be humble.
(On the other end)
Shumac wood. Hand carved decorated and finished by David W Fox of Tara, pa
February 16,1933.
(On the ends of the inside of the canoe)
Farewell mortality.
All aboard for Heaven. Christ the Pilot.
Very little is known about the maker David W. Fox save that he was a preacher and was known for his unusual art works.
Penned in ink on the hull of the canoe:
(On one side)
The dear old home with father and mother. They are: treasures that gold cannot buy. A place to live, and rest, and dream – or silence is eloquence and only God is near. “Be still -and know that I am God; I am the redeemer, I will take care of thee.”
(Around a drawing of a smal cabin with two tree trunks )
“ In God we trust”
A worm friend
Love
Cast they bread upon the waters; for thou shout find it after many days. “Cast they bread upon the waters, you who have abundance store; it may float on many it may strand on many ashore; you may think it lost forever, but as sure as(unreadable)... In this life, or in the other, it will get returned to you. Yes he who in his righteous balance, Doth Each human action weigh, well your sacrifice remember, will your loving deeds repay.
No frozen seas in Arctic zone – is quieter than thIs scene. No tidal wave – or earths recoil, could so much to me mean. For youth did paint on memory’s canvas, scenes that we hold dear. We recall them in days after, clearly they appear. The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled clover. The pond that we waded, the hills we roamed over. The old swim-in-hole with waters so fine. Our clothes on the grapevine: used for a line. The dear old Meadow – with new moon hay. Sending its fragrance so far away. That cool Spring run, in and out among the trees. Many times we waited it: up to our knees. The tall grown oaks – with our warm friends on high. In the cabin, beneath. Let me live and die. But once more let us look on memory’s book. That youthful days did bring. For if we could – we surely would; live them over again.
(On the reverse side)
Oh swish and sway, swirl and unfurl again; you green girdled mother of men. Be music to thy God - were no human feet have ever tried. But let me find inbound all around, with a host of loving friends, which is next only to the love Of heaven. The boat is loaded to the gunwhailes – with precious and immortal souls. Don’t rock the boat – with envy, anger, hatred, strife, or murder. With these you cannot land. Our Larboard is light. Our starboard is bright. Lift the anchors. Loose the rudders. Hoist the sails. We are going to a brighter Dwelling, than we have yet to see. Where the tree of life is blooming, and the fields are evergreen. Going for our full redemption, when our Savior will restore; all that sin has caused to wither: age and sorrow - come no more.
Only waiting till my pilot opens wide the pearly gates; at whose portals -long I’ve lingered, we are poor and desolate. Even now I hear their footsteps -and their voice is far away, if they called me I am waiting; only waiting to obey. “God is love “
Be virtuous - live and help others to live. Through Christ we conquer.
(On one end)
Aim high, and hold your aim. But lower your hindsight; be humble.
(On the other end)
Shumac wood. Hand carved decorated and finished by David W Fox of Tara, pa
February 16,1933.
(On the ends of the inside of the canoe)
Farewell mortality.
All aboard for Heaven. Christ the Pilot.
ProvenanceMade by the artist and preacher David W. Fox in 1933 and purchased from an antique dealer in Springfield, OhioCollected by Alyssa Taylor Wendt in 2015, gifted to the MFCA, 2021.
Published Referenceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarrs,_Pennsylvania
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/outsider-artist-1924-david-fox-tarr-1999643778