A carved poodle by Aaron Mountz (1873 – 1949)

Aaron learned to carve wood as a boy from the itinerant woodcarver Wilhelm Schimmel. His output was not extensive, numbering less than 100, and is thought to have been done mostly when he was a boy and young man. Like Schimmel he specialized in animals, including eagles, chickens, squirrels, sheep and dogs. He is especially known for his eagles and his dogs. His work shows the influence of Schimmel's teaching, but most critics consider his work more careful and precise, if less exciting, than that of Schimmel. Unlike Schimmel very few of his carvings are painted, and of those that are, the paint was applied directly to the wood. Today Aaron Mountz' carvings are much prized. "The small birds and animals done by Wilhelm Schimmel and Aaron Mountz … are cited in every treatise on American folk art, and they are the standard against which primitive or naïve American wood carving is judged."
In good condition.

Dimensions
Overall height is 3 ¾” (9.5 cm)
Length: 4 1/2" (11.4 cm)