28(H) x 21(L) x 10(W)

Canadian. Last quarter, 20th C. An outstanding nature menagerie by Ewald Rentz. It features the interaction of several lively creatures in nature including a squirrel, a chipmunk, an unidentified bird, a mouse or rat, an elephant, and another long-neck beaked creature above. Like many of his works, Rentz worked with the existing form of his found materials to define creatures on this creative masterpiece. Signed, "E. Rentz" underneath. 28(H) x 21(L) x 10(W)". From the Marty Osler Collection. $1500/2000. Ewald Rentz (1908-1995) was born in North Dakota, but grew up in Manitoba before settling in Beardmore, Ontario. A man of many trades, Rentz worked throughout his lifetime as a lumberjack, prospector, cook and a barber. During his time as a prospector, Rentz would collect unusual roots, fungus and branches which he would use to create his whimsical, often humorous, sculptures. He would 'coax the hidden forms out of the wood', turning discarded materials into intricate carvings depicting people and animals such as bellhops, matadors and mermaids. His works are renowned amongst Canadian folk art collectors and can be found on permanent display at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and in many collections across North America.