Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Americana and Folk Art (UNITED STATES, CA. 18th C.–20th C.)
Though the pieces are timeless, folk art emerged as a collecting genre only in the 1920s. Then as now, collectors focused on American artifacts. The earliest were prompted in part by the awareness of a nation changed: in that decade, for the first time the majority of U.S. citizens lived in cities, rather than on farms and in small towns. At the same time, the ascendance of modernism in art and design was countered by promoters of the Colonial Revival style. That movement drew from attics and barns old hand-carved furniture, stilted 19th-century family portraits, weathervanes and butter churns.
The best folk art items were purchased by an odd mix that included bohemians and intellectuals, along with J.P. Morgan and members of the Chrysler and Rockefeller families (who began funding, for instance, the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia in the 1920s). If nostalgia played a role, the primary motivation for folk art collectors was — as it is today — a recognition of the artistic merit and cultural significance of pure, honest expressions of the human impulse toward beauty.
Simplicity is its hallmark, yet folk art defies a simple definition — and covers a vast amount of ground. Folk art has been called "the art of the everyday": objects created by people, with no formal training in the arts, for use in their daily lives. These include everything from tools and toys to quilts, baskets, jugs, dowry chests and duck decoys. Folk art is generally made by hand; works might be carved, sewn, chiseled, knitted, hammered, woven or embroidered and more. Such techniques were passed down through the generations — one reason folk-art collecting has been described as "a kind of archaeology." Folk art reveals the inherent values and traditions of a community, through time-honored crafts, decorative motifs and pictorial subject matter.
All folk art intrinsically reflects a sense of pride. "Americana" is folk art that does so overtly: through work that honors civic ideals and celebrates national and local achievements. Americana includes flags, bunting, carved bald eagles, and needlework with allegorical figures representing Liberty and Democracy; or helmets and buckets used by a volunteer fire brigade; or the trappings of fraternal organizations such as the Oddfellows. Collectors of Americana typically also collect American antique furniture that, while made in the workshops of a master cabinetmaker or joiner, reflects regional stylistic traits, tastes and quirks.
Almost all folk art is anonymous — and the prominent exception being signed work by early 19th-century itinerant portrait artists like the New Englander Ammi Phillips, whose 1835 portrait of a young girl and her pets was the first piece of folk art to sell for $1 million at auction. Until relatively recently, work by Phillips and his ilk was the prime focus of folk art collectors: the folk art of the Northeast defined the category. But recently, more attention and more scholarship have been devoted to the folk art of other regions: to the South, and the artwork of enslaved African Americans and their descendants; and to the Southwestern and early Latino folk art. Born in a time of change, folk art collecting is changing along with the nation.
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Period: 18th Century and Earlier
American 18th Century Child's Chair with Original Woven Seat
Located in Carmel, CA
Charming child's chair in pine with original hickory woven seat. This slat back chair is very likely Shaker. Mushroom button top on arm. The turned finial on the back is of good prop...
Category
Late 18th Century American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
American Mahogany Classical Swan Sofa, Philadelphia, Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany classical upholstered sofa with swans head arm rest, carved corner cornucopia, and terminating on ebonized lions paw feet....
Category
18th Century and Earlier American American Classical Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Early American Turned Burl Bowl
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A large turned circa 1790 birch burl bowl from New England in fine original condition and having an untouched surface and patina.
Category
1790s American American Craftsman Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Birch
Maple William & Mary Dish-Top Candlestand
Located in West Chester, PA
Candlestand with circular top, turned pedestal, three turned legs and ball feet. Black paint is not original.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Maple
Portrait of Elizabeth Van Dyck Vosburg by Pieter Vanderlyn (The Gansevoort Limne
By Gansevoort Limner
Located in West Chester, PA
Portrait of Elizabeth "Betje" Van Dyck Vosburg., c. 1725. Unsigned, in original frame; accompanied by a Van Dyke family bible printed in Amsterdam in 1702. Condition: Minor repairs, ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Canvas
American Chippendale Maple Serpentine Tilt Top Tripod Tea Table, Circa 1780
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Chippendale maple serpentine tilt top tea table with a turned bulbous ringed pedestal, original brass locking mechanism. and resting on the original tripod legs with scrolle...
Category
1780s American Chippendale Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Mahogany Game Table. Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany flip top game table with hand stenciled centered lyre pedestal, resting on saber legs with stenciled acanthus motif and original brass casters.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Mahogany Satinwood Inlaid Pembroke Table. Rhode Island. Circa 1790
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Hepplewhite mahogany one drawer drop leaf pembroke with inlaid birds eye maple oval corners, satinwood string inlays, graduated bell flowers, and terminating on tapered legs...
Category
1790s American Hepplewhite Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Cuban Mahogany Slant Top Desk
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Cuban mahogany slant top desk with turned ball finial gallery, fitted interior drawers, and ending on cabriole legs with slipper feet.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Walnut graduated chest of drawers with box wood string inlay, burl walnut carved skirt, and terminating on original splayed feet. Dealers please call for trade price.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in New York, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany, Mirror
American Wire and Brass Fire Fender
Located in Hollywood, SC
American wire and brass fire fender with pleassing wire work and ball finials.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
An American Queen Anne Painted Wing Chair Possibly New Hampshire
Located in Sheffield, MA
Of typical form with shaped wings and cabriole legs ending in pad feet
Height 49 in.
Height 49 in.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Pair of American Wrought Iron & Brass Urn Finial Andirons . Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American wrought iron andirons with brass urn finial tops, scrolled decorative spit hook , and terminating on penny feet. Column...
Category
1780s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
American Cherry Chest of Drawers with Flanking Fluted Quarter Columns, VA C 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Cherry five drawer chest of drawers with a carved molded edge top, flanking fluted quarter columns, original brasses, and terminating on the original ogee bracket feet. Virg...
Category
1780s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Cherry Bow Front Graduated Chest of Drawers. Rhode Island. Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Cherry bow front chest with carved molded edge top, four graduated drawers, original oval brasses, carved quarter columns, and terminating on original ogee bracket feet. Sec...
Category
1780s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Lemon Top Andirons Boston, Howes Co.
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American bell brass lemon top andirons with turned rounded squared plinths, matching finial lemon log stops, and terminating on spurred legs...
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Important & Rare Pennsylvania 18thc Paint Decorated Cradle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic early 18thc Pennsylvania painted and decorated baby cradle with strong German Dutch influence . This early cradle has come out of a fifty year collection and was found in Southern Pennsylvania originally . The hex signs...
Category
18th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
An American Chippendale Maple Slant Front Desk
Located in Sheffield, MA
An American Chippendale
Maple Slant Front Desk
Rhode Island
18th Century
The slant front opens to reveal ...
Maple Slant Front Desk
Rhode Island
18th Century
The slant front opens to reveal ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
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C. 1840's Antique American Classical Mahogany, Tapestry Style Upholstery, Sofa!!
Located in Austin, TX
Handsome Antique Sofa, American Classical Mahogany, Tapestry Style Upholstery, Circa 1840's, 19th Century!!
Experience the charm of a classic American mahogany sofa from the mid-19th century with this antique piece. Upholstered in striking multicolor tapestry fabric, this sofa features scrolled feet and carved stiles that add to its elegant appearance. The seating area is perfect for conversation and can accommodate up to four people, making it ideal for your entryway, foyer, living room, or guest room. This circa 1840's antique sofa is a beautiful settee that brings a touch of Victorian style to any space. The upholstery fabric is complemented by the mahogany frame in brown, and the sofa comes as a unit that requires no assembly or additional parts. The model is perfect for creating a seating area where you and your guests can relax and enjoy each other's company.
American Classical Mahogany Sofa...
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The chair itself has a ...
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1930s Hand Crafted Mahogany Large Pie Crust Tilt-Top Table with Ball & Claw Feet
Located in Germantown, MD
Exquisite antique tilt top pie crust pedestal mahogany tea table / center table in very good vintage condition from the 1930s. Large pie crust top over a hand carved pedestal support...
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Empire Marquetry Sofa in Mahogany with Satinwood Inlays, circa 1820
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A lovely and well-proportioned marquetry sofa with arched back, scroll arms and short Grecian curved legs in mahogany embellished with inlays of festoo...
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Swedish 19th Century Wooden Child's High Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish early 19th century wooden child's high chair.
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18th-19th Century American Ladder Back Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
18th-19th century American ladder back chair
Classic ladder back chair with rush seat
Measures: 18" wide x 14" deep x 15" high at the...
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Pie Crust Tilt-Top Tea Table
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant tea table with an unusually shaped top, having a raised and scalloped carved edge, resting on a baluster column carved with foliate design and supported by three cabriole leg...
Category
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19th Century English Regency Style Upholstered Mahogany Sofa Settee
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive late 19th century upholstered mahogany sofa or settee made in the English Regency taste. Beautifully crafted with an older restoration featuring a tall square back mahoga...
Category
19th Century English Regency Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Chinese Chippendale Tripod Tilt Top Table - Co. of Master Craftsmen
By Company of Master Craftsmen
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a LOVELY Early 20th century American piece, made circa 1930.
Chinese Chippendale Style Tilt-top tripod table with frieze Gallery.
Made of solid dark mahogany.
Great condition!
Manufactured by the 'Company of Master Craftsmen' and is correctly stamped in the base of the tilt-top, with an eagle crest. and the serial numbers 'D16389' and 'J1524'.
Would have been retailed by W.& J. Sloane in New York City.
Provenance: Bought from a reputable Dealer in Ireland.
Dimensions: Top Down: 28.5 in High with diameter of top being 23 in
Top Up: 39 in High
THE Company of Master Craftsmen: The Company of Master Craftsmen was founded in 1925 as a subsidiary of W. & J. Sloane. W. & J. Sloane, based in New York City, was one of the oldest and most established furniture makers and retailers in the U.S. It had a history of furnishing many of the finest homes in the country including the Breakers and the White House.
William Sloane Coffin Sr., who was President of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and an executive with the Sloane Company, founded the Company of Master Craftsmen to make colonial style furniture. The company worked closely with the Metropolitan Museum’s American wing, reproducing rare pieces from the collection to decorate the homes and offices of many of New York’s and the country’s elite. The Company’s production was quite limited during its’ thirty years in business making their pieces quite rare and very collectible. Today, a number of museums including the Metropolitan Museum in New York and the M.F.A. in Boston have Company of Master Craftsmen pieces in their permanent collections as examples of Fine “revival” furniture.
W. & J. Sloane: The company was founded as a rug importer and seller on March 2, 1843, by William Sloane who had just emigrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland, a town famous for weaving Fine carpets and rugs. In 1852 his younger brother John W. Sloane joined the firm, when it was renamed W. & J. Sloane. It was the first company to import oriental carpets into the United States. It soon expanded to include furniture and other home furnishings, and quickly became the choice of the elite in New York. In the late 19th century the company added an antiques department, started producing furniture, and became the first home furnishings store in the country, Billing itself as "W. & J. Sloane Interior Decorators and Home Furnishers." Its flagship store was originally located at Broadway and 19th Street, in "Ladies' Mile", relocating later to 414 Fifth Avenue at 38th Street, former flagship of Franklin Simon & Co.
In 1891, W. & J. Sloane incorporated and set the national decorating taste of the United States, and over the next sixty years decorated the homes of the most prominent people in the country, including the Breakers and the White House, created Hollywood movie sets, and even designed and decorated interiors of automobiles. It opened a branch in San Francisco, California originally to furnish pavilions at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition (it also furnished the model homes at the 1939 New York World's Fair). It later acquired other upscale firms such as the California Furniture Company, and in 1925 a subsidiary, the Company of Master Craftsmen was founded by William Sloane Coffin, Sr. (the father of Rev. William Sloane Coffin) to create colonial revival furniture. During World War II the company worked with the Newport News Company and the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company on shipbuilding contracts for the United States Navy fitting out the interiors of liberty ships under the direction of John Sloane...
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Early 20th Century American Federal Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
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Mahogany
Turned Studio Bowl by Charles M. Kaplan, US, 1960s
By Charles M. Kaplan
Located in Berlin, DE
Laminated walnut bowl by Charles M. Kaplan.
Category
1960s American American Craftsman Vintage Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Walnut
English Rattan and Bamboo Tea Table, C. 1900-1920
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a charming late 19th or early 20th century English rattan and bamboo Tea Table. The hexagonal form of the table is somewhat unusual and adds i...
Category
Early 20th Century English Aesthetic Movement Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood
