Grouping of eight (8) wood carvings of cats by Hope Brown (1916 – 2015), one of the Brasstown, NC carvers associated the John C. Campbell Folk School located in Western North Carolina. The cats are carved in various woods including cherry and butternut and are depicted in various poses including one sleeping with kitten, two cats carrying kittens, two cats sleeping, two cats sitting upright and one cat with a downward gaze. All with the initials HB carved on the bases. Lot also includes a book titled: THE BRASSTOWN CARVERS, JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL. Ranging in size from 2 1/2" H x 4 1/2" L to 2 1/4" H x 6 1/2" L. All 2nd Half 20th century. History: The Brasstown Carvers began in 1929 when a local Handicraft Association was organized at the John C. Campbell Folk School. All work was made in the homes of members who lived around Brasstown. In 1933 an exhibition of Mountain Handicrafts in Washington D.C. brought the work of the Brasstown carvers to the attention of the President and First Lady Roosevelt. A Washington DC newspaper reported that Eleanor Roosevelt visited the exhibition six times and bought "a whole flock of geese." Carving was traditionally an occupation for men and boys, but women entered the cooperative in increasing numbers, especially during World War II. By 1946, women were the majority of carvers for the first time. In the 1950s, the carving group formally became known as the Brasstown Carvers. Hope, along with her husband Glenn produced the patterns for many of the carvings and made them available to the school.

CONDITION: All items in overall good condition. A couple of animals with minute wear to ears.