Vintage Wooden Alpine Skis and Poles
Decorative Art / Sporting Equipment • Manufactured; possibly Northland or similar mid-century sporting goods producer
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern Vernacular / Sporting Americana
Medium & Technique
Laminated wood (likely hickory or ash), steel hardware, rubber, and synthetic polymer components
Creation Period
Circa 1940s-1950s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 180-200 cm in height; vertical/longitudinal format
Subject Description
A pair of utilitarian alpine skis with early safety bindings (Kandahar-style spring cables) and matching poles, representing mid-century winter recreation technology.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows signs of use and age-related wear
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Acquired through private ownership; likely used for recreation before transitioning to decorative display
Art Historical Significance
Significant as cultural artifacts of the post-WWII 'ski boom' and the evolution of alpine equipment design from solid wood to early composite technologies.
Notable Features
Features red racing stripes and period-correct spring-cable bindings; the poles appear to be of a slightly later era based on the grip styling.
Condition Issues
Surface oxidation on metal bindings, minor wood delamination, surface scratches, and fraying of the pole straps
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a stable temperature/humidity environment; apply furniture wax to prevent wood drying; stabilize metal with microcrystalline wax