1830s Folk Art

American Portrait Miniature: Woman in a White Gown Thomas Story Officer (1810–1859) Watercolor on Ivory, Gilded Frame Circa 1830–1836, Philadelphia This exquisite American portr...

American sampler under glass with the original gilt Birdseye maple frame, Early 19th Century. Alphabet and Numerals. Signed by maker Maria Nuttall Age 7.

Very early American wooden games board; probably the oldest I have handled, this dates to about circa 1835 and exhibits the markings of a typical cottage industry type manufacture (not unlike very early Noah's Arks). Obviously entirely hand crafted; measurements are not exactly square (left to right; top to bottom), probably made of a local soft wood, and hand painted with squares not perfectly delineated. Black light and "loop" inspection reveals age crazing and original paint that, in conjunction with original wear and no attempt to touch up, dates it to the early 19th century. In addition the screws/nails affixed to the hinges are hand forged and in my opinion are of the period I state. In my 50 years of dealing I have had several early 19th century "games" tables; this board game ensemble resembles some of those items. The dice container is also of that vintage. The checker pieces (14 black and 14 yellow) are early and hand carved; while the backgammon pieces in the period box (also hand carved) are turn of the century. Most definitely American, as the last thing an English immigrant would have brought to America at that time would have been a game. When closed, or in the folding position, the board game simulates and is made to look like two books resting side by side (see images), and thusly, was made to sit on a book shelf, either horizontally or vertically; and to be pulled out to play games when desired, which would have been either the game of checkers (draughts), chess, or backgammon. The board opens up to a two sided game option. On one side is the proverbial 64 square (English/ American version) of chess or checkers; and on the other side is a backgammon board. Both sides are hand painted in gold and black, with a rust colored border around the checkerboard. The interior backgammon play area is also black and gold with the same color rust area to the central part. Nail hinges in the center frame, pivot the two sides to open, while a leather covering borders the edge trim, which is 50% lacking on the hinge side. I state the condition to be good, considering it's age, it's use, and the fact that it is still very "usable" and, if taken care of, will probably continue to be so for nearly another 200 years! The checkers, (12) black pieces and (12) yellow (the correct numbers) are hand carved in wood and hand painted. The backgammon pieces (stored in period wooden box) contain 14 yellow hand painted and carved pieces and (13) black ones. (15) of each color are used to play backgammon (simply use the checkers, which are just about the same size (see images) to make up the difference. Most antique game boards...

Swiss alp painted box

American hand held cast brass engraved Yachtsman's speaking trumpet with bell shaped soldered mouthpiece, coned-shaped column with original interior red paint, and terminating on a r...

Swiss alp painted box

Early 19th century American primitive demilune console table featuring center drawer with brass knob, straight plain foot legs and original finish. ...

Fantastic original paint decoration on this early 19th century pin blanket chest. Probably from the Manheim, Pennsylvania area c. 1835. Featuring a two-board top opens on square hinges over a dovetailed well containing a lidded till. Raised on ball feet, with amazing unrestored paint decoration and including key. Measures 43.5" x 22.5" x 24.5". Provenance: Bradbury Antiques...

Swiss alp painted box

Presented is a rare and magnificent early printing of the Declaration of Independence on silk. The silk broadside was printed by stereotype by James Conner, in New York. Printed circ...

Rare original chart of Long Island Sound by E + G Blunt of New York, 179 Water St. "Surveyed in the years 1828, 29 & 30" Exceedingly rare and early chart, titled Long Island Sound fr...

Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...

Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...

A charming woven rush bag, with applied leather sections, initials and the date 1832, the reversed also has appliqué leather sections of organic flowing forms The piece is in goo...

Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper. A young prince is seated in a palace courtyard under a canopy receiving a party of noblemen. His ministers stand behind him, wearing peaked turbans with floral patterns, their gestures conveying their welcoming demeanor towards the noblemen. The guests are wearing red and blue turbans...

American Sheraton pine hand painted floral washstand with a single drawer, original wooden knob, and resting on turned bulbous ringed legs, Early 19th century.

A 19th century Swedish folk art painting on canvas, known as a bonad, depicting a woman, perhaps an angel, in very fine clothes in a paint decorated room with a small window, with a ...

A magnificent framed early 19th century Swedish folk art painting. This type of Swedish folk painting is known as a kurbitz, and this example is known to be from the north of Sweden and is dated 1832. The scene depicts the biblical story of the woman at the well...

Charming early (circa 1830's) folk art painting, with very desirable subject matter, this oil on canvas depicts a pretty young girl; seated, wearing a fancy dress with her beloved d...

A unique antique schwingstock from 1832, used in the traditional processing of flax. This original farm implement is made of solid oak and bears both the initials of the original own...

Very fine English early 19th Century solid burl yewwood tabletop with molded edge and scalloped sides with mahogany and sycamore compass star inlay, the who...

Scottish brass and nickel silver horse hobble with an eagle heads horse shoe handle and resting on the faithful servant creature Bide a Blink. Signature...

Explore a piece of literary history with this antique edition of "Œuvres complètes de J. de la Fontaine," Tome II, published by Ed. Lefèvre around 1838. This rare volume, featuring the complete works of the celebrated French fabulist Jean de la Fontaine, is a collector's gem. The book has aged gracefully but shows signs of its journey through time. The pages have absorbed some moisture, leading to slight warping, while the cover has begun to detach in certain areas. This gives the book a distinctive character that speaks to its long past. Era: Circa 1838 Condition: Fair (Shows signs of wear and moisture damage; cover partially detached) Dimensions: Height: 20 cm (7.87 inches) Length: 13 cm (5.12 inches) Thickness: 4 cm (1.57 inches) Weight: 654 grams (1.44 lbs) Despite its age-related imperfections, this book remains a valuable and intriguing addition to any antique book collection...

A unique antique schwingstock from 1839, used in the traditional processing of flax. This original farm implement is made of solid oak and bears both the initials of the original own...

American walnut carved spread wing eagle perched to Flee on rectangular rocky pine plinth, Early 19th century. Eagle is 27 wide and 17 deep at base.

This highly amusing and unusual little wall cabinet for keys is decorated with a charming embroidery picture of a little girl wearing a red dress wi...

Striking and beautiful New England quilt in the princess feather and rose pattern. Excellent condition with a highly folky design pattern. Found in , this quilt made from blue and re...

This diverse set of early 19th-century English painted snuff boxes, of various shapes and sizes, are finely decorated with a variety of subjects, inc...

19th century reverse painted on glass portrait of George and Martha Washington by William Matthew Prior (1806 - 1873), one of New England'...

She is depicted holding a tray aloft with her eyes, which she gouged out in order to keep from being married off to a Pagan. Polychromed gesso with gilding. Some small bits of polyc...

These stunning and unique Miniature Georgian shoes were produced in England during the early 19th century, circa 1830. They are hand carved from Mahogany wood and feature the most wo...