Antique Folk Art, Carved Life Size Mountain Goat - Ram

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This full size, carved from wood, ram has a great history to him. He began in Cripple Creek, CO over … Read more This full size, carved from wood, ram has a great history to him. He began in Cripple Creek, CO over 100 years ago during the mining boom of that area. Many foreign people traveled there to "make their fortunes" however few did so. I believe this animal was carved by a German emigrant, from the Black Forest region, during times when the weather was too inclement to allow for mining. This may have been over several years. However at some point he was sold or given to a cabin that served libations and placed outside of the entrance door of this cabin. There was protection from the weather by placing him above the door and deep under the roof overhang. This accounts for the metal hinge on the back of the ram. He was attached to the wall securely. Some years later he was purchased by a resident of Cripple Creek and placed outside on a porch. And this time there was not as much protection from sun, wind, rain and snow. Again, the ram was sold to a rancher on the East side of the Rockies and lastly, before I found him, was purchased by a rancher in the Elbert CO area. He remained on their porch for many years. I purchased him when these folks moved from their ranch to a home in Colorado Springs, CO.

Condition: Both horn tips have damage. One tip is missing entirely the other has the tip but is taped on. There are several cracks in the horns but they are sturdy and stable. There are no breaks in the legs nor the body. The front of the ram is sun faded but the back shows the color that was most likely original to the wood, a pretty golden color. The eyes are carved wood, not glass eyes that would have come from Germany or a carver in Germany.

I call him full size because mountain goats are not as big as mountain sheep and his size seems realistic for mountain goat in the Rockies. See less