Vintage Folk Art Santa Claus Father Christmas Figure 1984 By Montana Mae Bunich

  
Santa is 22 inches tall (without his cap) and was made in 1984 by Seattle folk artist Montana Mae Bunich. She was a self taught accomplished writer, quilter, folk artist, and painter. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 88. Santa has a cloth body and wears a velvet coat, hat, and pants trimmed with fleece. The legs bend at the hips and knees so he can be seated.

His hat is an interesting shade of watermelon red with a small brass bell sewn to the tip. His face appears to be hand painted fabric that has a hardened surface from the paint or some kind of finish over the paint.

He carries a velvet bag that contains a wood cuckoo clock, a wood stick horse, some twigs, and a wrapped present. He also has a walking stick.

Montana made a simple wood stand with wire supports that go under his arms to display him in an upright position. The stand was made 41 years ago and the wood dowel has shrunk and become loose in the wood base (it was originally glued into the base). I wrapped a small amount of waxed floral tape around the base of the dowel for a tighter fit. I've had the santa since 1984 and he is in excellent condition.