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Antique Mid-19th Century Irish Country Prints
Stained Glass
A Close Look at Country Furniture
Functional pieces made with local materials that can stand the test of time have defined antique and vintage country furniture around the world.
Country style has varied based on regional tastes, from French Country with tufted sofas and cane-framed beds to American Country with stately Windsor chairs and tables built of pine. Each is imbued with touches that are often described as rustic, a style that is inclusive of a range of decorating modes such as country and farmhouse. Exposed wood, traditional fabrics, natural colors and a sense of heritage through distressed surfaces and handcrafted design are all attributes of country-style interiors.
Country furniture and decor can encompass movements from across centuries that reflect rural life, such as French Provincial, which emerged in the 17th century, Black Forest, which became popular in early-19th-century Switzerland with sculptural furniture carved with animals and Adirondack style, with chairs that debuted in the United States in the early 20th century and became a rustic favorite.
The design of country-style furniture isn’t guided by fleeting trends or elite tastes. Sofas upholstered with animal hide, desks made of oak or pine that show off the grain of their material and dining room tables balanced on sturdy square legs are all popular examples of country furniture. Although the aesthetics of country furniture are eclectic, the pieces are unified by meticulous construction that favors utility over ornamentation.
Contemporary country interiors usually have muted palettes, with white walls and calming shades of blue, where heirloom pieces mingle with vintage baskets and gingham textiles. Unpretentious and timeless, country furniture adds warmth to any home, whether it’s a cabin in the woods or an urban loft apartment.
Find a collection of antique and vintage country tables, seating, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Prints for You
Prints are works of art produced in multiple editions. Though several copies of a specific artwork can exist, collectors consider antique and vintage prints originals when they have been manually created by the artist or are “impressions” that are part of the artist’s intent for the work.
Modern artists use a range of printmaking techniques to produce different types of prints such as relief, intaglio and planographic. Relief prints are created by cutting away a printing surface to leave only a design. Ink or paint is applied to the raised parts of the surface, and it is used to stamp or press the design onto paper or another surface. Relief prints include woodcuts, linocuts and engravings.
Intaglio prints are the opposite of relief prints in that they are incised into the printing surface. The artist cuts the design into a block, plate or other material and then coats it with ink before wiping off the surface and transferring the design to paper through tremendous pressure. Intaglio prints have plate marks showing the impression of the original block or plate as it was pressed onto the paper.
Artists create planographic prints by drawing a design on a stone or metal plate using a grease crayon. The plate is washed with water, then ink is spread over the plate and it adheres to the grease markings. The image is then stamped on paper to make prints.
All of these printmaking methods have an intricate process, although each can usually transfer only one color of ink. Artists use separate plates or blocks for multiple colors, and together these create one finished work of art.
Find prints ranging from the 18th- and 19th-century bird illustrations by J.C. Sepp to mid-century modern prints, as well as numerous other antique and vintage prints at 1stDibs. Browse the collection today and read about how to arrange wall art in your space.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Stain glass originated in the 4th century with churches and monasteries from the Ancient Roman Empire. Churches and other significant religious buildings often still have stained glass features. In more recent years, stained glass elements can be found in art and design elements, including sculptures and home decor. Shop a range of stained glass pieces on 1stDibs.
- How do you make stained glass?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The process of making stained glass is easier than it looks. As long as you have the necessary tools: glass, a glass cutter, cutting oil, pliers, copper foil, soldering iron, solder, flux, grinder, and a lightbox, you will master the art of stained glass in no time. The first step to making stained glass is creating a pattern. Next you will cut the glass and grind down the rough edges. Lastly, comes foiling and soldering.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The difference between stained glass and painted glass is how it is made. To create stained glass, an artisan adds pigments to the glass and then fires it at high temperatures to permanently change the appearance of the material. With painted glass, color is added after firing and may rub off or fade with age. You'll find a large selection of glass decorative objects on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024The difference between Tiffany glass and stained glass is that one relates to a brand and the other is a type of glass. Stained glass is colorful glass made by adding metallic oxides to molten glass during the blowing process. Named after Louis Comfort Tiffany who established Tiffany Studios, Tiffany glass involves a technique where copper foil, rather than the traditional lead oxide, serves as the joining material for individual stained glass pieces. Another key characteristic of Tiffany glass is that it often has an opalescent effect that creates variations in color and texture across its surface. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Tiffany glass and other stained glass pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 9, 2024To tell if stained glass is Tiffany, first examine the piece and look for a maker's mark. Tiffany Studios changed its hallmarks many times over the years. By comparing the marking on your piece to images of hallmarks found on authentic items shared on trustworthy websites, you can begin to identify your glass. The base can provide an additional clue if your stained glass piece is a lamp. Many Tiffany lamps have a gray metal ring located under the cap. If you spot one, your piece may be made by Tiffany. Because there are many reproductions on the market, it is often wise to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist with the identification process. Find a range of Tiffany glass on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few different ways to determine the age of stained glass. The style and design, type of glass, and type of beveling and leading used can all provide clues to the age of a stained glass item. Experts recommend working with a certified appraiser or local antique shop to help identify age identifiers. Shop a selection of stained glass windows and decor on 1stDibs.
- Is stained glass Art Nouveau?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, some stained glass is Art Nouveau. It was during this period that Louis Comfort Tiffany produced his famed stained glass windows and decorative objects. However, the tradition of producing stained glass traces all the way back to the Gothic period. You'll find a selection of stained glass on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The purpose of stained glass windows is to let light into a space while also enhancing the visual appeal of a room. In churches, stained glass windows played an instructional role. Before most people knew how to read, the windows helped tell the stories of the Old and New Testaments and the saints. Shop a collection of stained glass windows on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Stained glass is used in churches to both enhance the beauty and spirituality of the space while also informing the viewer through narrative and symbolism. Shop beautiful stained glass on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Architects and artists have incorporated stained glass into their designs for centuries and across many different eras. Stained glass was extremely popular during the Gothic and Renaissance periods, and continues to be used to this day. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of stained glass windows from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A stained-glass window is a glass window that is used to illustrate Biblical persons, groups, stories, and/or patronizing images. Many churches have used stained glass windows in their designs over the years. Churchgoers might look to these windows to reflect on their faith and apply what they see to their daily lives.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022It depends, some doors have panels that can include stained glass but not necessarily all doors. The ideal doors for stained glass are doors that contain a windowpane that can be swapped out. Shop a selection of doors on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021What a stained glass window will be worth will depend on condition and other attributes. A stained glass window can range in price anywhere from $595 to $45,000. Stained glass windows can elevate any home. On 1stDibs, stained glass windows have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, stained glass windows are indeed Art Deco. Between the 1920s and 1950s, color was an integral part of the movement, and stained glass, with its gorgeous hues, was highly celebrated. Find an assortment of stained glass windows from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique piece of stained glass could range in price from $2,000 to $100,000 depending on the style, its condition and much more. It is used in making decorative windows and other objects through which light passes. Find a collection of vintage antique stained glass on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Gothic period is most famous for stained glass windows. The Art Nouveau period is the second most well known due to the work of glass artisan Louis Comfort Tiffany. You'll find a collection of stained glass windows and decorative objects on 1stDibs.