The history of human innovation and artistic expression isn’t as straightforward as you think. Craftspeople have created plenty of items that are odder than odd. And though they might raise a few eyebrows or make you do a double take with their weirdness, you can’t deny that there’s something captivating about them.
‘Anonymous Works’ is a long-running social media project whose curator features photos of rare and mysterious vintage objects and artifacts. We’ve collected some of the coolest ones to show you just how bizarre things can get. Keep scrolling to see the awesome pics.
#41 Here’s A Homemade Folk Art Clock Made By An Anonymous Artist In The Early 1930’s
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29points
#42 The "Keep Out" Box Circa 1900 Folk Art Dresser Box With The Figure Of A Man With A Long Rifle And A Stern Message For Any Intruders!
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29points
#43 This Embroidered Garment Was Made By Alice Eugenia Ligon In Fulton, Mississippi In 1949
She made it as a Christmas present for her children while she was a patient at the Fulton State Hospital, which was the first mental institution west of the Missouri River.
The garment, likely her hospital gown, is full of patriotic, religious and popular references including Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the poignant message to her children, “May God be with you until we meet again.”
Ligon was hospitalized for an unspecified condition in 1949 and 1953 and died at the facility several years later.
The garment, likely her hospital gown, is full of patriotic, religious and popular references including Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the poignant message to her children, “May God be with you until we meet again.”
Ligon was hospitalized for an unspecified condition in 1949 and 1953 and died at the facility several years later.
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28points
#46 This Rare Inuit Carving, Dating To The Early 19th Century, Depicts A Standing Man Rendered With Striking Presence
Inuit carvers traditionally worked in ivory, bone, and stone, creating objects that were not only functional but also deeply expressive of their cultural and spiritual life. Art held a vital role in Inuit society, serving as a bridge between the material and spiritual worlds, a record of daily life, and a means of expressing identity and continuity across generations
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24points
#47 Good Morning, From The Gates Of Hell! An Angel Unlocking The Door Of Hell. Hell Is Represented As A Great Mouth Within Which Are Human Beings And Devils
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24points
#49 Walt Disney’s Personal Copy Of The Book “Animated Cartoons” From 1920. Collection Of The Walt Disney Family Museum
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22points
#50 Shoe In The Form Of A Whale, Anonymous, C. 1675 - C. 1700. Via @rijksmuseum
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20points