Designer: Lowell “Knute” Knutson (1922 – 2013)

Item: Large Carved Wood Clothespin

Manufactured by: Lowell Knutson

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1984

Materials: Alaskan Birch Wood

Dimensions: 9” x 2 ½” at widest. Diameter of base 2”

Condition: Very good.

Description: Here is a hand carved large clothespin table sculpture by Lowell William Knutson, (aka Knute Knutson) a known Alaskan wood carver. According to his obituary in the Chilkat Valley News, Knutson was born in Idaho and after serving in World War II and seeing active combat in Germany, worked as a logger in northwestern Oregon where he married and had two children. In 1964 while logging in Alaska, he decided to relocate permanently to Haines, Alaska. Knutson studied in woodworking at the Alaska Indian Arts school. His woodworking skills became well known in the area for his paper-thin wooden vases, goblets and bowls, which he sold from a shop in his home. However, we have been unable to find any other examples of his work, which suggests it was only sold locally and stayed in Alaska.

This object was expertly crafted from a single piece of wood and solely as a decorative art object. It is equal parts folk art and pop art. It is signed “Knute”, and dated ’84, with the Haines, Alaska engraved into the wood on the bottom, and also has a paper label naming the wood used. The wood has developed a nice mellow patina from nearly 40 years of age.