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Exceptional Early American Antiques

Black-Painted Queen Anne Tilt-top Birdcage Tea Table Skinner Auctions

As one of the world's leading auction houses Skinner offers collectors the chance to bid on many rare and desirable pieces.  Skinner Auctions sells some of the most interesting and attractive antiques.  Here are a few from their selections that I find most attractive. 

Black-painted Queen Anne Tilt-top Birdcage Tea Table, possibly Southington, Connecticut, early 18th century, early surface of black paint over earlier red, (imperfections),  A label affixed to the top of the birdcage reads "This table belonged to Josiah Beardsley-Born 1807 and son of Eli Beardsley/ Born 1779/Josiah Beardsley married Rebecca Ann Mallory in 1828 (great, great, great Aunt and Uncle to Larry , Betty Lou, Wayne and Gary Emmon."  The following Genealogical information was taken from the Genealogical History of the Beardsley-lee Family in America, by Isaac Haight Beardsley, Colorado, and the Sherman, Connecticut Vital Records 1802-1850, from the Barbour Collection and transcribed by Coralynn Brown:  Josiah Beardsley the original owner of the table, was born in 1807 the second child of six born to Eli and Lucy (Glover)Beardsley.  Interestingly Eli was a blacksmith, Episcopalian, and Legislative Representative from Sherman, Connecticut, for three years and a state Senator for two years.  Josiah married Rebecca Mallory (or possibly Osborn) September 22, 1828.  He later married Mary Word in 1857.- Skinner Auctions

Queen Anne Black-painted Carved Maple High Chest of Drawers

Queen Anne Black-painted Carved Maple High Chest of Drawers, attributed to Peter Bartlett, Salisbury, New Hampshire, late 18th century, the top section with five thumb-molded graduated drawers set into lower section on long drawer over three drawers, the center one with fan carving, on cabriole legs continuing to pad feet on platforms, joined by a valanced serpentine-carved skirt, and two turned drop pendants, old replaced brasses, old black paint over earlier red, (imperfections), ht. 75 1/4, case wd. 38 1/4, case dp. 19 in. Provenance: Oncethe property of John Page, who was Governor of New Hampshire from 1839 to 1841. Estimate $30,000-50,000 
Sold for $35,550  Skinner Auctions

Yellow-Painted Wooden Measure and Bucket

Yellow-painted Wooden Measure and Bucket, America, late 19th/early 20th century, the lapped-seam measure marked E.B. FRYE MANUFACTURER Estimate
$300-$500 Sold For $425                                             

Tiger Maple Tall Chest

Tiger Maple Tall Chest, probably Rhode Island, late 18th century, six graduated drawers, the top and bottommost with two-drawer facades, replaced brasses, refinished, ht. 61 1/2, case wd. 36, dp. 18 in. Estimate $3,000-5,000  Sold for $4,740  Skinner Auctions

Classical Blue-Painted Birch Bureau, New England

Classical Blue-painted Birch Bureau, New England, c. 1825, old turned wooden pulls, old surface, (imperfections), ht. 37 1/4, case wd. 38 1/4, dp. 16 1/2 in.
Estimate $800-1,200 Sold for $7,110 Skinner Auctions      

Inexpensive Framing Ideas- Americana Wall Art

July 2011 Martha Stewart Magazine

In the July 2011 issue of Martha Stewart a striking story was presented on the idea of framing bandannas.  In the feature, they describe that bandannas were first made famous by Martha Washington, and then popularized by cowboys and much later on popularized by rock-n-rollers.  The bandanna has become a symbol of Americana.  Bandannas often feature the most elaborate patterns, and framing them is quite a genius idea.

Flag Bandanna Frame Ideas

For a bit of a modern touch add color to your wall by collecting the different flag bandanna's which then can be framed for the wall.  If the colors tend to be too bright for your primitive interior, consider tea staining the flags to give them a primitive feel.

Here are some found on Ebay and Amazon:

-Mexican Flag Bandanna $3

-Puerto Rican Flag Bandana $3

-Spain Flag Handkercheif Bandanna $3.

-Italy Bandanna Italy Flag $5

-Canadian Flag Bandanna $5

-German Flag Bandanna $5

-Ethiopia Bandanna  Ethiopia Flag $5

-Spain Bandanna Spain Flag $5

-Honduras Flag Bandana $3

-Guatemala Flag Bandana $3

-El Salvador Flag Bandana $3

-Brazil Bandanna Brazil Flag $5

-United Kingdom Bandanna UK Flag $5

-USA Bandanna  USA Flag $5

-Puerto Rico Bandanna Puerto Rico Flag $5

The Most Popular Dining Chair For 3 Centuries- Part 1

Painted Windsor Chairs-Ideas For Primitive And Colonial Decorating

Windsor chairs developed in England some time during the late 17th or early 18th century. Today they are still one of the most popular dining chairs around.  Not only do they look sophisticated, but they also can be painted to customize the interior color scheme.  By the 1720s, they had become quite popular in Southern England, and many people guess they originated in English town called Windsor.

A Windsor chair is a wood chair whose back and sides consist of turned spindles that are attached to a solid, sculpted seat. A Windsor's chair has straight legs that splay outward and its back often reclines slightly.

The seat of a Windsor chair is an essential part of the design as it provides stability to both the upper and lower portions. It is interesting to know that the English Windsor chair seats are usually not as thick (or deep dished) as American Windsors. The reason for that is the English Windsor chairs because elm wood which the English use is more difficult to sculpt than the softer woods chosen by American chair makers.

English Painted Windsor Armchair Seller Yew Tree House

American & British Windsor Chairs- House Beautiful Magazine

Windsor Chairs and Benches From Country Living Magazine

Windsor Chairs and Benches From Country Living Magazine

The Most Popular Dining Chair For Three Centuries- Part 2

Late 18th Century Painted Windsor Arm Chair Seller M Finkel & Daughter

Some windsor chairs were made of woods like mahogany or walnut, which were more expensive than those chairs made of oak, birch, maple, hickory and ash. It wasn't uncommon to find Windsor chairs made from different styles of woods. Often times these chairs were painted to disguise the mixture of timber. The most common colors used were dark green, brown, black, red, yellow and white were also quite popular.

The earliest British and American Windsors were painted, and later on in the 18th century many chairs were grain painted, and then coated with a darker color before being coated with linseed oil and a paint color. With wear and use use, the paint would wear off around the edges and showed off the paint colors underneath. The paint back then was much thinner than it is now, so I am sure it wouldn't take long for the paint to wear on the seats.

Many collectors look for the original painted chairs because of the natural distressing of years of use. It simply looks nicer than any faux distressing that is man made.  Over the next several decades, furniture makers across New England made improvements to the chair, including the continuous arm addition.  Today Windsor chairs can be found painted many different colors.

Handcrafted Windsor Chairs by Chris Harter

Handcrafted Windsor Chairs by Chris Harter

Painted Windsor Chairs - Photo Credit Karl Juengel

Martha Stewart- Painted Windsor Chairs

Painted Windsor Chair From Laurel Auctions In Virginia

The Most Popular Dining Chair For Three Centuries- Part 3

Windsor Chairs - Primitive Decor & Decorating Ideas

Primitive Furniture -Farmhouse Casual 7 Piece Dining Trestle Table Set in Weathered Oak

This Farmhouse Dining By Liberty is sensational! This Listing is for the 7 Piece Trestle Table Set which includes dining table, four side chairs and two arm chairs for $1059

Dimensions:
Windsor Back Arm Chair: W24 x D24 x H41
Windsor Back Side Chair: W19 x D20 x H41
Trestle Table : W40 x D102 x H30

Primitive Dining Sets - Sturbridge Rectangular Dining Set

Sturbridge Rectangular Dining Set By Liberty Furniture is really a dream set! The Sturbridge Formal Dining Room Set is made from highly selected hardwoods and cherry veneers with multiple table options as it contains one 18 Inch leaf for table expansion. Coleman sells the dining table for $649, and chairs in sets of two for $255.

The Most Popular Dining Chair For Three Centuries- Part 4

Windsor Chair Identification

Windsor Chair Identification

Here are a number of pictures I saved some time ago from a furniture guide (forgetting which one) which lists all the different styles of Windsor chairs and the appropriate name given to each style.  We hope this quick picture reference helps you in deciding which style to buy when searching for your next dining room set.

1. Windsor Loop Back Side Chair

2.Windsor Low Back Armchair with Writing Arm

Windsor Chairs And Bench Identification

3. Windsor Braced Back Loop Back Armchair

4.Windsor Loop Back Rocking Chair

5.Windsor Sharaton Fancy Painted Side Chairs

6.Windsor Hoop Back Side Chair

7. Windsor Sharaton Fancy Painted Side Chair

8.Windsor Comb Back ArmChair

9.Windsor Fan Back Side Chair Distressed Paint

10.Windsor Settee Rocker

11. & 12 Windsor Rod Back Side Chair