Americana Appraisal

Pair of Wooden Black Americana 'Jockey' or 'Butler' Lawn Ornaments

This is a pair of stylized wooden lawn ornaments, commonly referred to as 'Black Americana' figures, designed to resemble jesters, butlers, or jockeys. Each figure is flat, cut from wood, and painted. The figure on the left is depicted in a yellow long-tail coat, white shirt, and black bowtie, with black pants. Its face is painted black with large, exaggerated red lips and white eyes. It holds a clear, possibly plastic or glass, ash tray or small dish. This figure stands on a yellow-painted rectangular base. The figure on the right is fashioned in a red long-tail coat, with a largely unpainted or faded front section where the shirt would be, and black pants. Its face is also painted black, with little discernible detail for features other than the overall dark silhouette. It holds a pink, possibly ceramic or plastic, fluted ash tray or small dish. This figure stands on a rectangular base with remnants of light blue and red paint, suggesting a more elaborate or repainted design at some point. Both figures exhibit visible wear, including chipping paint, particularly on the bases and edges, and some surface abrasions consistent with outdoor exposure or general handling. The construction appears to be simple, likely involving cutting shapes from flat lumber and joining them, possibly with dowels or fasteners, then painting. These types of figures were popular in the mid-20th century, typically displayed in gardens or at entrances. The craftsmanship suggests a folk art or mass-produced decorative item rather than fine art. The exact age is difficult to determine without additional information, but the style and visible wear point to an item with some years of existence. The bases show significant paint loss and some potential weathering. One 'eye' on the left figure appears to be a small white dot, possibly a painted detail or a repair. The hands are integrated into the flat design, and the objects they hold are separate pieces attached to the 'hands'.