Parrot 1865 - 1890

Wilhelm Schimmel, an itinerant carver, created this wood ‘Parrot’, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, during the latter half of the 19th century. Schimmel was an immigrant from Germany, who, after serving in the Civil War, wandered through the Appalachian Mountains. He bartered his carvings for food and lodging. His life echoes the period's socio-economic disruptions, as industrialization and war uprooted many. The parrot, often associated with mimicry, might symbolize the immigrant's adaptation to a new culture, echoing the complex themes of assimilation and cultural identity. Each piece bears the marks of his labor, a testament to the narratives of hardship and resilience. Schimmel's work provides a tangible connection to a time of immense social transformation, reflecting themes of migration and identity. The parrot acts as a poignant reminder of the individual stories embedded within broader historical trends.