Pair of Carved and Painted Wood Heads, American, late 19th century

one African-American, the other Caucasian, said to be from a riverboat to advertise a minstrel show or a Shakespeare play.

Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo, "Beyond Tradition: A Folk Art Collection in New Hampshire," Antiques & Fine Art, vol. VII, issue 2, Summer/Autumn 2006, p. 138.

Both with original paint, expected wear and minor losses commensurate with age, each with minor stable age cracks, each has a hole (as made) running from the base of their necks to the top of their heads (for mounting), the African American has what appears to be a rung of tack holes from behind each ear extending up to the forehead, and below his mouth.
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