Painted Saw Blade with Skull and Rose Design Appraisal
Category: Decorative Object
Description
This item appears to be a decorative object fashioned from a circular saw blade. The blade is approximately 6-8 inches in diameter and features a toothed edge around its entire circumference. The surface of the blade has been painted with a vibrant and detailed design in the style of traditional American tattoo art. The central motif is a stylized human skull, rendered in shades of yellow, gold, black, and white, complete with visible crack lines, indicating age or damage a common trope in this art style. The skull is framed by large, lush red rose petals with darker red shading to show dimension. These petals are surrounded by green leaves with dark green veins. Small orange elements, possibly representing thorns or buds, are interspersed around the edges of the design, between the leaves. The overall impression is bold and graphic. The paint appears to be enamel or a similar durable paint, likely applied by hand. There are visible signs of wear and tear on the painted surface, including some minor scratches and possibly small chips in the paint, particularly around the teeth of the blade. The metal of the saw blade beneath the paint appears to be steel or a similar alloy. There are no discernible manufacturer's marks, signatures, or other identifying stamps visible in the image. Given the style of the artwork and its application to a re-purposed industrial object, it likely dates from the late 20th or early 21st century and was created as a piece of art or decor rather than having functional use as a saw blade. The craftsmanship of the painting is relatively good, with clean lines and solid color application, though not necessarily museum quality. The object has a central circular opening, which would have been for mounting the saw blade onto a saw, but now serves as a void within the overall composition.
Appraisal Report
Based on my visual examination of the provided image, this item is a decorative object repurposed from a saw blade, featuring a hand-painted skull and rose design in the style of traditional American tattoo art. The condition of the paint shows minor wear, including scratches and chips, consistent with some handling and age. The underlying saw blade appears to be standard industrial steel. Authenticity as a piece of decorative art is evident from the painting's execution and placement on the non-functional blade format. However, I must note that definitively authenticating the artist or origin beyond general stylistic attribution is impossible from imagery alone. An in-person examination would allow for closer inspection of paint layers, application techniques, and the potential for hidden signatures or marks. Market conditions for repurposed and 'folk art' style decorative items are variable, but there is a niche market for unique, hand-painted pieces, particularly those with motifs like skulls and roses which are perennially popular. Comparable decorative items on salvaged materials typically range depending on the artistry's skill level and the artist's recognition, if any. Demand for such an object is likely from collectors of tattoo art history or unique home decor. While not exceptionally rare as the materials are common, the specific artwork makes it a one-of-a-kind piece. Factors impacting value include the quality of the painting, its condition, and purely subjective aesthetic appeal.
Appraisal Value
$50 - $150