American
Staved Tankard
New England, ca. 18th to early 19th century. Staves are pine with remnants of white wash. Probably ash hoops. Never lidded. Scrubbed very dry high-character surface. The bottom edge chip carved.
Impressive size of 11 inches tall x 7 1/4 diameter base, tapering to 6 inches at the top. One stave carved as a handle. From a private New England collection.
Early Lace Maker's
Ball Box
New England, discovered decades ago in Massachusetts. Early 18th century
(ca. 1720-1730).
Pine and linen, the top and bottom panels profusely carved, with untouched rich natural patina, the two panels joined by a circle of long wooden pins about the perimeter. The top panel is centered by a leather-hinged door, the leather held by rose-head nails (the leather long ago worn through. Also retains the original carved turnbuckle clasp and final. The wooden pins form the structure around which the thick linen (and likely cotton batting) are wrapped. The linen wrap is the foundation upon which the lace is crafted with pins holding the lace in place while working. The inside of the ball functions as a box, holding carved wooden tools (two present) that provided tension to lace-threads. The door is decorated with an elaborate floral design that is repeated under the base.
A substantial piece of about 8 ½ inches diameter x 5 tall, and weighty in-hand. This is an exceedingly rare Americana survival with only several known.
Choice
Derr-Family
Paint Decorated Oval Box
.....SOLD
Pennsylvania, probably Bucks County, ca. 1820-1840.
Attributed to Salome Derr. Original dry paint of blue and white foliate decoration on deep salmon ground. Oval, with dimensions of about 5 ¾ inches long x 3 ½ wide x 2 ½ tall.
Interior retains the label of Betty L. Dorow, a long ago antiques dealer from Milan, Ohio. Excellent condition.
Diminutive Staved Painted Keeler
Northeast, ca. mid-19th century. Very small yet functional. Staved construction with riveted-iron straps holding the staves in place, two extended as handles that likely held rope originally. Very stoutly made with a surprisingly thick base, deeply chamfered to fit into the interior dado. Mary Earle Gould in Early American Woodenware describes "keeler" as coming from the German word KIEL, meaning to cool, and indicated that keelers were used to cool fresh milk or butter. The white painted interior supports a dairy usage. The exterior has either a yellow paint or the over-varnish is pigmented yellow. The iron straps painted black. Underneath are intaglio stamps resembling clovers, likely a maker's mark.
Charming size of just 7 inches wide x 3 at the rim; 4 1/4 at the handles.
Watercolor Memorial
Dated 1827
Watercolor and iron-gall ink on paper.
Drawn for Caroline Tufts by S.E? Moore, April 23, 1827. A sweet drawing and verses in remembrance of Caroline above a symbolic weeping willow. Near the tree bottom is the expression "A trifle shows respect". Unobtrusive crease lines from folding, yet the folding kept the colors strong for all these years. Good overall condition with minor toning. Early frame. Frame size about 11 5/8 inches x 10.
Exquisite and Exceedingly Rare Broad-Rimmed Burl
Deep Serving Dish
.....sale pending
New England
ca. 1720-1740.
Ash burl. Of impressive size, masterfully lathe-turned with a dramatic broad-rim, relating to pewter examples of the period.
While most burl bowls were utilitarian in nature, this serving dish stands out with its refined form, meant not only to be functional but to be prominently displayed and admired, and served from at the table.
Excellent condition with delightful undulation to the bowl and rim. High polish/burnish to the shellac surface. The interior bears intriguing stains, including what appear to be traces of ink, and a small split (or cut) to the rim’s edge, all bearing witness to its usage. About 16 ½ inch diameter x 3 ½ deep.
Provenance: From the 1950s to the 1970s.....