Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia folk art cat The ball is beautifully crafted

The ball is beautifully crafted of a light and darker wood

This one really makes me want to host an afternoon tea simply in order to serve from it

75” tall

I purchase at the incredible estate sale of a Michael Leininger in Melrose

with just a bit of darkening to the brass

Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia folk art cat The ball is beautifully craftedThis lovely otter is by Richard Thompkins (1930 1995), a renowned Nova Scotia based Canadian carver who became known in the 1960s for his sleek, highly finished carved animals, especially his otters like this one. I believe it is carved of Butternut, finished with linseed oil and lacquer. I love that it feels super mid century but also very much product of singular sensibility. Signed Richard N. S. on the underside of the belly. 7 1 2 long x 3 1 4