Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Carving |
Catalog Number |
2013.007.0001 |
Description |
Red slate carving of a Native American male profile modeled after the Native American image in the Buffalo Head Nickel, minted between 1913 and 1938. Carved by John Joseph Billow, Sr. (1997 - 1975) in 1933 with a jack knife. Billow was born in West Pawlet, Vermont to Basil and Mary Billow. After service to his country in World War I, he married, lived in Granville and worked in the slate quarries providing for his family of five sons and one daughter. The red slate Indian head was carved using only a jack knife and he used the Indian head on a buffalo nickel as the model. There was a clock in the upper right corner originally, but it was broken off after a fall. The piece was not painted for approximately thirty years until Billow decided to add the color. The piece has been in its present state for about 50 years. |
Date |
1933 |
Caption |
Front |
Dimensions |
W-9.5 L-13.5 D-0.625 inches |
Artist |
Billow Jr., John J. |
People |
Billow, Basil "Bill" Billow, John Joseph Sr. |
Subjects |
Native Americans Money Currency Carving Carvings Stone carving |
Search Terms |
Carving Art Native American slate art Slate objects |