19th Century Folk Art

Celebrate the brilliance of American folk art with this exquisite hand-stitched silk quilt from the late 19th century. Crafted with exceptional skill and care, this quilt features an ultra-modern aesthetic that echoes the iconic “piece bars” style popularized by 19th-century Mennonite quilters in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Each rectangular silk piece—measuring approximately 1” x 5”—was individually cut and stitched by hand, creating a striking geometric design that feels both timeless and avant-garde. The rich array of vibrant silk fabrics shimmers with life, making this quilt a true visual feast and a testament to the maker’s artistry and dedication. More than a textile, this quilt is a labor of love—an heirloom-quality work of art that bridges function and beauty. Due to the delicate nature of 19th-century silk, such quilts have become increasingly rare and highly collectible. Their fragility only adds to their mystique and historical value. Perfect as a wall tapestry, this handcrafted quilt is equally captivating whether displayed vertically or horizontally. It’s a powerful conversation piece and a beautiful window into America’s rich quilting heritage. Dimensions: 60” x 78” Date of Manufacture: 4th Quarter of 19th Century Place of Origin: United States Material: Silk Fabric Condition: Wear consistent with age and use The Persian Knot, SKU: 2268 Antique Mennonite Quilts, Pennsylvania Mennonite Quilts, American Applique Quilts, Vintage Pennsylvania Quilts, Antique Applique Quilts...

Wonderful 19th century nursery rocking horse having charming detailed head with a dished face and flared nostrils. He retains his original saddle and leather stirrups and is mounted ...

This five foot plus papier mâché pig was used as a fund raiser or trade stimulator. The brass stomach plaque has a coin slot and reads in French... Pu...

Classic courthouse steps log cabin quilt with a good use of lights and darks. Solid red and orange logs play well against the printed fabrics. Excelle...

"William Tell" mechanical bank was patented and manufactured in 1896 by the J. & E. Steven's Company in Cromwell, Connecticut (please see image of the underneath with patent informat...

This is a 39-star unofficial American flag, celebrating North Dakota statehood. The printed flag dates to 1889 and showcases a “whimsical” star pattern in the canton. The flag's cant...

19th century original blue painted sled with three painted pugs (dogs) on the center top of the sled. There are manufacturer PMC maker marks on the side. On the base Paris Manufact...

Pair of Swedish 1810s-1830s corner chair scraped down to the original black paint. Seat are loose and be easily re-upholstered.

This rare green yellow ware mocha seaweed bowl is in pristine condition. The sage green color is very good.

This is a very unique large 1810 half Hull Sailing Ship model with rare bowsprit. I'm told its very very rare to find one of these with a Bowsprit Mermaid.

Fijian Ula throwing wooden war club of the  Ula Drisia type - Archipelago Of The Fiji Islands - Oceania - Polynesian art Country : Fiji Period: 19th Century ca 1800 Length: 40 cm A...

A 19th century American folk art oil painting on canvas depicting a river scene at dawn with a horse and rider on a bridge over a waterf...

Native American Sioux beaded teepee bag. Having beaded front, sides and top. Beadwork is mostly white with blue, yellow, red, and green forming traditional geometric design. Having t...

Antique original oil painting. A charming study of a fluffy cat curled up and staring directly at you. Painted in the naive style. Dating to the early 19th Century. The painting do...

This is a beautifully colored 38-star American parade flag, flown at a public reception for Ulysses S. Grant in October of 1880. This printed flag features a rare, triple medallion s...

175 years ago this was created as a fountain that worked on water and counter weights. The elephant can now be plugged in and runs on dry land using a motor, cables and gears. The he...

Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860 A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque...

19th century Italian painted wood rocking horse.

This "Ethan Allen" running horse weathervane was one of the more popular ones manufactured by the prolific copper weathervane makers of the late 19th century, "Harris & Co." of Bosto...

Unique carved cane that chronicles the life and achievements of Thomas Jefferson. Among the carved words are "Thos. Jefferson of Va Born Apr 2,1743 Wa...

19thc early Navajo Indian weaving with feathered star pattern and diamond border. Wonderful vegetable dye color in fine condition.

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy White Fleet Frigate The sailor's woolwork depicts a portside view of a square-rigged three masted ship flying the White Ensign. The blue s...

This fine medium size 19thc original blue painted bail handled pantry box comes to us from a fifty year old folk art collection! The paint has such a wonderful aged & worn patina.All...

Landscape Signed by Édouard Righetti (1924-2001) Inscribed Verso on back oil/gouache painting on artist paper, beautifully painted. very good condition size: 16 x inches x 20 ...

Wonderful toleware chest Not sure what the original function was. No evidence to suggest it was a coal bin. Cream painted with gilt decoration in neoclassical style. Original paint...

Lovely pair of French folk art decoys. Two Coots made out of cork and with wooden beaks. On the bottom you can see lead weights to keep them on place on the water. Very decorative an...

This is a very early stone ware glazed piggy bank from New England. This is a handmade piggy bank in very good condition.

Wall carved wooden eagle head 19 th century

A fine antique English Staffordshire pottery figurine. Depicting a seated Spaniel. With confetti fur and painted black highlights. Simply a wonderful Staffordshire dog figurine...

Extraordinarily early (1806) printed linen kerchief glorifying George Washington, Germantown print works, Germantown, Pennsylvania Printed in sepia ink on coarse, white linen, this patriotic kerchief shows a standing portrait of George Washington, above which is a swag valance and the words “The Effect of Principle, Behold the Man”. The portrait is based on a mezzotint after Gilbert Stuart’s very famous painting of Washington in his later years. Stuart painted it in oil on canvas for a wealthy merchant by the name of William Constable, who commissioned the work for Alexander Hamilton. The kerchief is interesting because it is both American-made and documented. This is exceptionally unusual for any printed textile of the 19th century or prior and the earlier the time period the more unlikely an object is to be identified. This kerchief and a companion piece entitled “The Love of Truth Mark the Boy” (also glorifying Washington through the fabled story of the cherry tree), were made ca 1806 by Germantown Print Works in Germantown, Pennsylvania. To the left of Washington's image is a portion of his infamous farewell address to his troops at the end of the Revolutionary War. To the right is a short excerpt from his eulogy. Below these are three images. In the center is a square-rigged tall ship with “Commercial Union” above it, flanked by the American eagle on the left and the British lion...

Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel circa 1864. Beautiful piece of traditional Swedish history.  Being a small model with a foot peddle this machine was likely to used to sp...

This fine example of unusual spongeware is in good condition with the original metal handle. The lid is also original to the piece.

Nautical candlestick, lost-wax casting of silvered bronze and brass, English manufacture of the 1920s. Made of 3 pieces screwed together, upon the base rests an anchor surrounded b...

A beautiful antique bible from Scandinavia in the year 1810. The cover are probably even older, possibly late 1700s. Works perfect as a Wabi Sabi decoration element to give the r...

Glorious is the best way to describe this lone star quilt with chintz border and applique (broderie perse). The colors are as vibrant as the day it was ...

19th century Belgium hand-carved child's toy. the wooden ball is attached to the base with a woven string. The child would toss the ball off the base and try to catch it back on the ...

Antique American copper fish weathervane circa 1875. Purchased from a private Nantucket collection in the 1980s. Original surface with remnants of gold leaf. Great condition, measure...

19th century French heavy bronze farm bell with iron with number 20, high quality, polished.

Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild A mid to late 19th Century hand carved Sicilian marionette knight puppet/marionette. Still wearing all in brass armour and si...

Here is a wonderful decorative late 19th century pharmacist hand blown dispensing/display glass jar of considerable size. The jar is reverse painted by hand with a white ground and g...

British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship, Circa 1875 The charming simple sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a Royal Navy second rate battleship...

Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand...

Exceptional and rare throwing knife from the MBUGBU / BANDA people Region: Central African Republic / DR CONGO Length = 40 cm Period: 19th century-1900 Perfect condition A superb an...

Antique Lion's Head in Polychrome and Cast Iron on Stand Just a wonderful antique lion’s head in heavy cast iron on a later stand. The lion most probably used to be a door ornament ...

This super amazing wool plaid pieced stars is in mint condition. The surround stars have embroidery around the blocks. The backing is a floral wool backing.The border is a teal blue ...

A well executed almost life size skull and crossbones pine carving, depicting the remembrance that we all will pass. Likely a part of a larger religious carving, possibly placed a...

The 19th century charming and rustic rocking horse now mounted on two straight boards is made of handcrafted wood pieces cleverly assembled, and has a leather saddle, reins and stirrups. A great addition for those who collect Early American country antiques...

19th C signed Framed Horse Litho By Olso.

Collection of 3 Italian 19th century Marionettes A fantastic set of 3 19th century hand crafted marionette puppets. All with original cotton, silk and valour clothing intact, han...

Marotte - head form original 19th century folk art ceramic figure Marotte Unique handmade piece Realised in Menigoutte - France Circa 1880 original good condition - see details ...

Amazing and scarce JUDAICA object, we have here one of the most touching jewish objects we had for a long time, this small silver dowry box was made in Algeria in the early 19th century, it is all covered with symbols of jewish faith and of couples, the sliding lid has 2 flanking birds with hamsa (protective hand) on each side and a flower vase in the middle. one side shows two flanking lions with a tree in the middle and the other side shows again two big and two small birds with a flower bowl in the middle, front side has a key hole and next to it there is the Hebrew inscription ס״ט״" which says Siman tov or in English "a good sign" it is taken from the wedding blessing, underneath the lock there is another inscription with the name ״עזיזה בת אברהם בן חמו״ which is the name of the bride, her father and her grandfathers name. the box is full marked a lot of times with the silversmith mark, every side of the box is marked. this box was probably ordered by the grooms family to hold the jewelry they are giving to the bride as dowry, this type of objects are rare and there are just a few of them on museum collections. DOWRY (Heb. נְדֻנְיָה), the property a wife brings to her husband at marriage; the Yiddish equivalent, nadn, is from the same root. The custom of nedunyah became clearly defined and institutionalized only in the talmudic period. In biblical times, mohar (מֹהַר), whereby the groom bought his wife from her father (Gen. 24:53; Ex. 22:15–16; Hos. 3:2), was the accepted practice. It was then customary that the groom give the bride gifts, and that she bring certain property to her husband's home upon marriage: slaves, cattle, real estate, etc. (cf. Gen. 24:59–61; 29; Judg. 1:14ff.; I Kings 9:16). Evidence of the custom of nedunyah is to be found in Tobit (7:14; 8:21) and in the Assuan papyri (Cowley, Aramaic, nos. 15, 18). Gradually, mohar was superseded by the ketubbah custom according to which the husband merely assumed the responsibility of compensation to his wife in case he divorced her: he had to pay her 200 zuzim if she had been a virgin at the time of marriage, and 100 zuzim if a widow or divorcée (see *Ketubbah). By talmudic times, the institution of nedunyah was prevalent; the father gave a dowry to the bride since the daughter was excluded from paternal inheritance. Fifty zuzim (equivalent to the worth of 180 grams of silver) was the minimum amount a father was obliged to give to his daughter (Ket. 6:5). Parents usually gave much more, according to their social standing. Community funds provided the dowry for an orphan or a very poor girl (ibid.; cf. Sh. Ar., YD 251:8). In case of her father's death, the brothers of a minor girl were obliged to give her the minimum dowry, and the court estimated how much her father would have given her above the minimum dowry. The sum was then taken out of the father's estate and given to the daughter upon majority (Ket. 6:6; 68a–69b). In the absence of such an estimate, each daughter was entitled to receive one-tenth of the value of her father's estate in money, or in valuables (Yad, Ishut, 20:4–7; Sh. Ar., EH 113:4). If the father was unable or unwilling to pay the promised dowry at the betrothal ceremony, the groom could refuse to marry his bride (Ket. 13:5; Ket. 108b–109a). Insistence on exact payment of the promised dowry, however, was frowned upon by later rabbinic authorities (Rema to Sh. Ar., EH 2:1). In certain communities it was customary for the groom's father to make a dowry contribution equal to that of the bride's father (Ket. 102b). The dowry, whether given in real estate, slaves, money, or chattel was recorded in the marriage contract (the ketubbah) and in some instances one-third or one-fifth of the actual value of the dowry was added to the sum mentioned in the ketubbah. Based upon a decree enacted by *Simeon b. Shetah (first century C.E.), the Talmud ruled that the husband and his entire property were liable for compensation as stipulated in the ketubbah, either in case he died (when she collected the sum specified in the ketubbah from the heirs) or in case he divorced his wife (Ket. 82b). For the status of the dowry and the husband's rights and obligations, see below. The rabbinic enactments (Takkanot Shum) by R. Jacob *Tam and by the rabbinic synod of the communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz (Germany) stipulated that if a woman died...

19th Century French Bread Board

19th century sponge ware butter crock in very good condition.

Remarkable pair of 19th Century Palissy ware Portuguese pitchers handcrafted in earthenware or clay, coated with colored glazes and decorated in a whimsical array of reptiles, bugs a...

American Painted Copper Cow Weathervane by Cushing & White. A off-white painted, full bodied, copper dairy cow on a wood stand. A wonderful unusual wea...

This lovely " Grandfather" clock has retained it's original painted finish. The face is in good condition, so is the case. The clock mechanism is not in working order at this time, h...

French pottery cider bottle from Normandy, end of 19th century. 13 bottles available, sold separately. Different sizes.

19th C Postage stamp crib quilt on a stretcher. This is wired on top and the side.