Images(3)

Carved Eagle

Date1880-1900

Possibly by John Bellamy (1836 - 1914)

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Boston or Portsmouth (possibly)

MediumWood, gesso, gilt, and paint

DimensionsOH: 15 in.; OW: 115 in.; OD: 7 In.

Credit LineBequest of David Rockefeller

Object number2018.701.1

DescriptionLarge two dimensional weathervane of an eagle with wings expanded.
Label TextJohn Haley Bellamy was born on April 5, 1836 in Kittery, York County, Maine to Charles and Francis Keen Bellamy. He began his career as a ship's carver at the age of 21 in Boston, where he served as an apprentice for six years. During the Civil War, he worked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard carving figureheads for warships. Today, Bellamy is best remembered for his carvings of eagles. He carved large eagles, like this example, as well as small ones, all of which would have been mounted above doorways on ships and public buildings. Some of his eagles even carried carved banners painted with words or phrases, such as another example in the collection which reads “Carpe Diem.” Bellamy’s popularity led to many copycats throughout the late 19th and early 20th century.