1830s Folk Art

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...

Austria, Kronstorf, dated 1832 A rare and beautifully preserved Austrian painted folk art cabinet, attributed to the celebrated Workshop of the "Master of the Flaming Tulip" (Werkst...

Westcountry Windsor Chair in Original Paint Yealmpton Devon 1830s. Extraordinary Westcountry Windsor Chair with remains of original Green paint, dating from the 1800s. What makes th...

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...

A duo of early C19th coopered buckets, of tapering form, one circular, one oval, both finished in the original grained decoration and red interiors, with brass bands and brass swing ...

Early 19th century hand carved hunting lodge fragment wolfs head Dimensions in inches: H 9” x W 10” x D 12” Age: Early 19th Century Origin: Austria Condition: Aged Overview An ama...

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...

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...

A very fine antique New England painted & stenciled Windsor rocking settee, Circa 1835. These rocking settees were historically known as a "Mammy benches" on which a mother or nanny ...

Early 19th century hand-carved decorated coconut cup with continental silver mounts. The coconut is artfully hand-carved with wonderful geometric patterns all over the piece. The r...

An historic piece of Royal history: a Herald at Arms tabard dating to the reign of George IV in silks and gold bullion threads. Displaying the Arms of the House of Hanover, which rul...

1834 Alpine Floral Painted Cabinet Measurements: H. 170 cm – W. 100 (107 to the frames) cm – D. 53 (57 to the frames) cm Period: 1834 Origin: B...