SALE RARE! Highly Carved Antique Cabinetmakers Screw Clamp, Signed “R.E. Buskirk, Ca. 1900

Collectibles : Tools : Carved Clamp

 

We have managed to obtain a folk art masterpiece of the woodcarver’s craft. This early wooden handscrew, or screw clamp, is highly decorated with wonderful designs and stands as a tribute to its maker. Robert Buskirk was a cabinetmaker who worked out of Pennsville, New Jersey running a business called “Robert Buskirk & Sons” around 1900. As many cabinetmakers did, he often carved some of his tools to show customers as examples of his skill. Recently two highly carved spirit levels done by him were auctioned off for big money. Here is your opportunity to own a one-of-a-kind classic.

The wooden jaws of the clamp are 9 inches long and 1 ½ by 1 ½ inches square. The outside edges of the clamps have a terrifically executed basketweave design that must have taken a long time to complete. One face is carved with “R.E.BUSKIRK” while the other face is carved with “PENNSVILLE,N.J.”, both again beautifully carved. The two handles are masterpieces with a design that resembles woven leather grips with two pieces of “double wound string” encircling each handle. One of the handles also is signed with “by Buskirk” having a small carved star representing the dot above the “i”. We do not know what kind of wood the jaws are made out of but suspect that they are dark stained rock maple. The iron work including the screws is all in clean, excellent condition with no signs of corrosion, allowing them to work smoothly. This was an expensive clamp in its day! If you wish, the clamp could still be used in your shop, but we suspect that you would much rather display this piece somewhere in a position of honor.

If you collect folk art or old tools, then this is a piece that you do not want to miss. It is a very usable tool, yet, above all else, it is clearly a piece of folk art! You can buy with confidence from Sweetpea Cottage. We stand behind everything that we sell. If you wish to return your purchase for any reason, simply notify us by email of your intentions within 3 days of receiving the item. We then ask that you return it to us in its original condition in a timely fashion. Once we receive it then we will refund the full purchase price minus any shipping charges. Shipping costs will be $15.00 including insurance.

Layaway is available for 3 easy payments which will include shipping and insurance. Be sure to read our “Terms of Sale” for details.

Item ID: AntCSC-443