Eagle c. 1890

This wooden eagle carving was made by John Haley Bellamy in the United States, probably in the late 19th century. Eagles such as this one were commonly hung in public places such as government buildings, courthouses and even private homes to inspire patriotism and visually declare national identity. The combination of an eagle, the American flag and shield is a striking display of American nationalism. Bellamy was working at a time when the United States was expanding, both economically and geographically. Following the Civil War, national symbols such as the flag and the eagle were increasingly prominent in the visual landscape. Bellamy, who fought in the Civil War, was one of many folk artists making patriotic carvings at this time. As art historians, we use census records, military archives, and period newspapers to reconstruct the social context and meanings of images like this one. These sources help us to understand the political circumstances in which artists were working, as well as the shifting meanings of national symbols.