Folk Art Wood Carved Mountain Man By May Ella

ca.  2004

14" H

Hand carved painted bearded man with Plains Indian headdress and may have had something in outstretched hand Signed May Ella

Excellent Condition very nicely done

May Ella is a regional folk artist specializing in wood carvings, from the Southern Highlands (e.g., North Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia).  While specific biographical details are sparse, her work aligns with self-taught carvers featured in guilds like the Southern Highland Craft Guild, which preserves Appalachian craft traditions dating back to the 19th century.  These artists often draw from local storytelling, mining history, or pioneer themes.  Her pieces emphasize naive, expressive forms with rough-hewn details—think oversized features, dynamic poses, and a sense of humor or folklore.  The "Mountain Man" motif evokes 19th-century fur traders, rendered in a playful yet authentic style typical of folk art.