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Choice Little
Painted Basket
.....sale pending
Probably Northeast or Mid-Atlantic, ca. mid to third quarter, 19th century.
A scarce combination of superlative form, tight weave, and exceptional dry painted surface highlighted by smooth burnished areas of wear, especially about the rim, handle and underneath. The paint originally was a sage-green, now having oxidized to a dark green to charcoal color depending on lighting. Excellent condition.
About 6 ¼ inches to the top of the handle x 8 wide x 7 deep.
Colorful Small
Berry Buckets
.....SOLD
Appealing original dry painted surfaces that provide a splash of authentic antique color. American, 19th century. Believed to be Shaker made.
The soft salmon is a particularly scarce color, while the green has a delightful bright tone.
Both staved, joined by iron bands. The wood and wire handles connected via diamond shaped escutcheons.
The green slightly larger at just 4 ½ inches tall x 5 1/2 diameter, the salmon a bit smaller at 4 ½ inches tall. From a fine Midwest collection. .
MINIATURE
Red-Painted
Blanket Chest
New England, ca. 1769
.....SOLD
Authentic early miniature pine six-board blanket chest in original dry crusty patinated deep-red paint, just the way collectors of early Americana love it.
It opens to twin lidded tills (unusual for a chest this small to have two), carved 6 and 9, almost surely for the date 1769.
Applied reeded moldings decorate the front, with tall feet and bootjack ends. Retains the original lock and snipe hinges (one of the hinges a bit loose). Without cracks or repairs; a gouge out of the wood on the left sidewall happened long ago as evidenced by the dark patina within. Note how pure underneath.
About 14 1/8 inches long x 5 7/8 deep x 7 ¾ tall. This little chest likely held important family documents, money, and valuables. Given the period, it is fun to imagine what those contents were. From a fine Midwest collection.
Outstanding Windsor Lighting Stand
.....SOLD
New England, ca. late 18th century. Remarkable state of preservation with red/brown painted surface on what appears to be birch and maple, retaining the often lost tin candle cups joined with cut nails.
Expertly lathe-turned with bamboo-shaped legs leading to a round block, baluster-turned column, round tray with raised rim, hand-cut screw turnings, and a shaped double candle-arm that may be easily raised and lowered. Nuanced features elevate it further, including the finial-like terminations, and incised lines of decoration throughout.
Exceptional design executed by a skilled turner. Makers in the late 18th century used bamboo-shaped legs, a popular design at that time inspired by Chinese aesthetics which were becoming fashionable in the West.
Top-shelf condition and surface. Made when candles in country homes were sparingly used as a bit of a luxury. Beautiful and functional, I like to use it next to a sofa to hold coffee. About 33 ½ inches to the top of the finial.
RALPH CAHOON
Oceanside
Family Outing
Featuring his
Hallmark Mermaids!
Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Signed lower right: R. Cahoon, 1979. Oil on Masonite.
Commissioned by the J.S. Harmon Family.
Ralph Cahoon (1910-1982) is celebrated as one of America's most beloved folk art painters, renowned for his vibrant and whimsical depictions of life in nineteenth-century coastal New England settings. His iconic artworks are highly coveted by both antique and contemporary collectors alike.
In this enchanting family scene, a majestic whale.....
A Fine and Rare
Family Record
.....SOLD
Massachusetts, probably Boston area, signed lower right by the artist, Thomas Johnston, dated 1810.
Watercolor and ink on laid paper.
Compositionally rich, embellished with intricate borders, highlighted by the beautiful panel showing what is likely the family home, supporting roundels celebrating the marriage of Samuel Tenny (b. 1764) and Elizabeth Merrill (b. 1766) and the birth dates of their children. Research indicates that they were a Massachusetts family.
The artist, Thomas Johnston, was likely the grandson of famed colonial craftsman Thomas Johnston (1708-1767--an ornamental painter to the elite of Boston--a decorator, japanner, engraver, painter of coats of arms, and much more). His children worked in his shop and learned his skills, passing those learnings to their children.
Terrific condition. Light toning. Long ago glued down to card and period frame backboard replaced. Frame probably original, frame size about 13 ½ inches x 11 ½. Long time Maine collection from Pam Boynton.
Beautiful Small
Profile Portrait
Young Woman
Seated in a Chair
.....SOLD
Northeast, possibly Pennsylvania, ca 1820.
Oil on Wooden Panel.
The attractive, confident, and relaxed young woman rendered half-length, elaborately dressed with lace collar and shawl, holding a book in her left hand (to communicate that she was literate) while seated in a paint-decorated thumb back Windsor chair.
There is a warmth and sophistication to this portrait. Her face shows just the right color-tone and softness, and her well-developed hand with slender fingers balances the color of her face.
Presented in a period black-over-red grained-painted frame that is likely original, the surface and patina of which works synergistically with the portrait. Minor touchup. Frame about 10 5/8 inches x 8 5/8. From a long-time private Maine collection..
Brilliant Folk Art
Hooked Rug
Probably Northeast,
Civil War period
ca. 1860-1870.
.....sale pending
Wools and cottons.
Clearly the maker loved flowers. Fortunately for us she also had the vision and the skill to transform that love into art. Not formulaic like so many, but unique, from her own imagination. She used fragments of repurposed materials, likely scraps from worn-out clothing or discarded by weaving mills. The result is a folk art triumph with timeless elegance that also fits a simple modern aesthetic, making it a perfect fit for both historic or contemporary homes.
I can’t adequately describe what she created better than your own eyes can see, so I will not try.
Professionally mounted and ready to hang. About 53 inches tall x 32 wide. This authentic antique folk art thriller will transform your room , as it did mine, with boldness, color, and a soft texture. .