Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia pottery tools and Vassar College Museum

and Vassar College Museum

with some nice irregularity to the form and weaving original to its making

10” tall

— dates to sometime between 1900-1920

It measures 3 1/2" tall x 4 1/8" in diameter

Carved Otter by Richard Tompkins, Nova Scotia pottery tools and Vassar College MuseumThis lovely otter is by Richard Thompkins (1930 1995), a renowned Nova Scotia based Canadian carver who became known in the 1960s for his sleek, highly finished carved animals, especially his otters like this one. I believe it is carved of Butternut, finished with linseed oil and lacquer. I love that it feels super mid century but also very much product of singular sensibility. Signed Richard N. S. on the underside of the belly. 7 1 2 long x 3 1 4