Posted 6 years ago
Poire
(59 items)
I recently found this beautiful wooden bird statue at a moving sale. I don't know what kind of bird he is, except that he is gorgeous! The burls! He is large, 24 inches long from beak tip to tail end, 7 inches tall, at his midsection, and 4 inches wide at his widest. The beak, itself, is 7 inches long! Anyway, he is signed "Burlingham 5/18/78." My research has turned up a few birds made by the same person, and these sites, including eBay, say that Burlingham's first name is Vaughn. These birds all have the round sticker stating what kind of woods have been used to create the birds. In my opinion, I think I found the most beautiful of the Burlingham birds! I so wish my photography skills were better because my photography will never show how beautiful he is.
Sadly, I cannot seem to find much, if any, information on the artist, Vaughn Burlingham. Do you know anything about him? If so, I would love to learn!
Enjoy! - Mary
He is a beautiful burled wood bird Mary, what a marvelous find! I love his gorgeous tonal brown patina & contrasting beak
Wow, that is awesome! Does that say 1878 on bottom? I would not have guessed it that old-makes it even more special. What an great find
Thank you so much for the loves and appreciation, Jenni and Mrstyndall!!
Mrstyndall, it doesn't say 1878. I, too, at first, at the sale, thought that it was 1878, and an old item. But, when I got home and looked at it more closely, I saw it was 5/18/78. The year was confirmed when I saw other Burlingham birds on the web with their dates. But, he is still awesome, don't you think, at a mere 40 years old!!
Oh ok, I can see the 5 now ;). Yes, either way, it is awesome! I love the variations in wood. My father in law does woodworking and has made me several pieces, so I am now drawn to beautiful handcrafted pieces
Thank you Mrstyndall!!
What a Stunning Piece !!!
This is absolutely gorgeous! What fine craftsmanship!
Thank you so much for all the loves
fortapache
vetraio50
TassieDevil
jscott0363
AdeleC
blunderbuss2
antiquerose
betweenthelens and
truthordare!!
And, antiquerose and betweenthelens, this piece is truly stunning. I just want to stare at it and rub the beautiful wood! Thanks!
Thank you for the loves truthordare, AnnaB, subi450, and aura!
Love this! Would love to have one of my own.
I knew Mr. Burlingham in the 1970s. He would craft his birds in a small workspace in his Sausalito, California home. He collected unique driftwood on trips to the northern California coast. My impression is that it was a full-time avocation for the successful retired real estate developer. The birds were sold at various galleries including Hanson-Howard Gallery in Ashland, Oregon. If memory serves me they cost around $300 back then.
Mr. Burlingham died in 2013 at the age of 92. Here is a link to his obituary:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/marinij/name/charles-burlingham-obituary?id=8493364