Ironwork: giraffes

Ironwork: giraffes

Blacksmithing

Handicraft

Metal-work

This ironwork was made by Oscar Cantrell (1901-1993), a blacksmith who taught at the John C. Campbell Folk School. With their long necks, these two animals look like they may be giraffes. While animals were a favorite theme of the Brasstown carvers, they were unique forms in metal. Born in the Green Cove section of Brasstown, Cantrell came to the folk school soon after it was established. He was originally an assistant to Georg Bidstrup, farm manager. At least by 1935, if not sooner, Cantrell was producing ironwork, designing both candlesticks and hinges. By 1935 he was teaching blacksmithing at the school. In 1947 a new stone Forge Shop was constructed at the far end of the campus across from the barn. This small shop was built to make ready for returning veterans of World War II, who took ironwork with Cantrell under the GI bill.

Cantrell, Oscar, 1901-1993

Artifact Collection

Hunter Library Digital Collections, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723

unknown

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

jpg;

crafts (art genres)

StillImage

15420

https://southernappalachiandigitalcollections.org/object/15420

2008-10-23

All rights reserved. For permissions and use, contact John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC 28902;

Clay County (N.C.)

Appalachian Region, Southern

15" x 12" x .5"(dimension)

Craft Revival