Sculptural Tall 1986 Ball in Cage Whimsy by John Coppess vintage tramp art box Established in 1861

Established in 1861

I just really like laying them out on the table and moving them around

The bodies of most appear to be made of old tool handles

I believe it dates to the 1960s

Sculptural Tall 1986 Ball in Cage Whimsy by John Coppess vintage tramp art box Established in 1861This particular form, a long and tall ball in cage feeling as much a modernist sculpture as a whimsy, seems to have been the specialty of John E. Coppess of Sunfield, Michigan, who signed it on the bottom, and by whom I found a very similar whimsy several months ago dated 1975! A quick search reveals that Coppess was born in 1910, so would have been well into his 70s when he carved this one, and I have to imagine making it gave him quite a lot of