19th Century Architectural Eagle

Exceptional carved eagle with a glass eye, outstretched wings, and the talons grasping a perch, carved from Pine and painted brown with its original varnsished surface. Probably Pennsylvania, c. 1850
20" x 48" x 22"
 
This type of eagle with its great sense of movement were typically placed over doorway or archways , it's a fine example of the ornamental woodcarving that was produced in America during the mid 19th century
 
Provenance:
John Gordon, New York City
Illustrated in Alice Winchester and Jean Lipman, The Flowering of American Folk Art (1776-1876), p. 182.