Showing wear and imperfections from well over 200 years of use, nothing can take away from the beauty of this beehive bowl. The rich original robins egg blue on this piece make it highly desirable. It is a larger bowl measuring 18 1/2" across the grain and 17 1/2" against. It is a full 6" deep. From the bowl's foot subtle beehive turnings make their way up to a well defined lip at the top. We have an obvious affection for painted bowls, and this fabulous bowl was 'love at first sight'!

There's always a first time for everything! This collection of 3 fully dimensional miniature hand carved yokes were recently purchased from a New England collection. They range in sized from 6 1/2" to 9 1/2". Likely from the 19th century, each is in its original surface and condition. Note there is an old loss at one end of the blue yoke. It appears these may be samples or perhaps whimsies made by a yoke maker? Regardless they are colorful and quite compelling.

American looking glass with colorful reverse painting. c.1840-50. This piece has been in an Ohio collection for years. We are pleased to bring it to the market once again. The mirror remains in as found original condition including a vividly painted home in chrome yellow and orange. Minor flaking can be found in the painting and the mirror, neither of which distract from the piece. Adding to the presence of the mirror is the molded frame in original red paint. 19 1/8" x 12".

Early bentwood box in deep indigo paint. 8 1/2" by 4 1/8". We are always drawn to the rich deep 'blueberry blue' color one finds in Maine. This beautiful blue pantry box was found on a recent fall trip to the area. It is a sturdy heavier piece with no damages or losses. Nicks and abrasions to the paint have all come from normal everyday use. Simply put this is a nice 19th century pantry box that will make a great addition to any collection of painted Americana.

(Sold) Smaller buttocks basket. 8"x 8"x 7" high to the handle. Often referred to as an egg basket, it is in great overall condition with only some minor losses. It is the dry blue color, however, that sets the piece apart. This was apparently achieved with a mixture of laundry bluing. A thin wash made from bluing was carefully applied to the exterior and handle of the basket. Color has worn off the handle. The inconsistency of bluing has left the basket a color best described as faded denim.

19th century mortar and pestle in original blue paint. This turned wooden utensil remains in excellent original condition with no cracks top or bottom. There is an irregularity in the wood on one side from age. This can be seen in the top right and bottom left images. It does not stand out nor does it impact the presence of this piece. It's just a part of it. The mortar stands 7 1/4" high and is 5" across the mouth. It has a wonderful form with multiple turnings to it and the pestle.

(Sold) This small rectangular Maine basket can best be described as desirable! It is perfect in condition, wonderful in color, and special in size. The piece measures 7 1/2" by 6 1/4" square and 3" to the rim. Likely made by one of the native peoples of Maine in the late 19th or early 20th century, the basket was given a heavy coat of dry oyster white paint. This thick surface not only gives the basket weight, it has also served to protect the corners as well as the basket overall.

(Sold) Delightful painted bucket in original red paint with bail handle and lid. This smaller staved pail stands just 4 1/2" tall. It measures 6 3/4" across the top tapering down to 5 1/4" at the bottom. This little gem is in the best possible condition with original red paint, original hardware, and the original lid complete with knob. Easily dating to the late 19th century, the bucket remains sturdy. The rich red paint has achieved a great warm surface from being handled over the years.

Game wheel from the late 19th century. Commonly referred to as a 'wheel of fortune', these wheels were manufactured using wire spoked bicycle rims at the center. They were made in any number of color combinations. However, blue as seen here seems to be the least common. The oxidized metal rim has the effect of a 3rd color complimenting the white and blue wheel. This piece is in original paint and condition with a wonderful alligatored surface. 32" diameter. 35" high overall.

This simple country checkerboard gets its appeal from an unusual color combination. An ochre background is embellished with salmon squares, which are all outlined in dove grey. Close examination shows the surface to have a fine craquelure. The result is a subtle yet sophisticated game board. It measures near 15 3/4” square including the attached molding. This game board was found in Pennsylvania and easily dates to the mid 19th century.

This is one of our favorite finds from our last trip to Maine. As 'newbies' in the antiques business in the 80's we used to pull our trailer to Wiscasset and park at the corner of Summer and Main Street to visit Doris Stauble. We still remember sitting in her kitchen and visiting to this day. Besides her eye for antiques there were her arrangements, which are legendary. This example in a green splint basket is offered as found. Although it shows its age it remains as wonderful now as then!

Parcheesi game board with an unusual butter yellow background. This piece dates to the early 20th century. It is made of 3 thin pine boards set in a frame measuring 26" square overall. Exposure over the years has caused some discoloration to the surface giving the board's color subtle nuances. Fleur de lis in 4 warm colors fill each corner. A graphic curvilinear playing field brings all the elements of this artistic game board together.

(Sold) Sweet miniature wooden bowl in original green paint. This piece likely dates from the late 19th to the earlier 20th century? Good age is indicated by slight warping over the years. It measures 4 3/16" diameter with the grain while 4 1/4" against. The foot at the base reflects a similar warp measuring 2 1/16" one direction and 1 9/16" across the other. It stands only 1 7/8" to the lip. This early piece of painted treen is offered in the most desirable original surface and condition.

Beautifully turned maple bowl from New England. This bowl possibly dating as early as the late 18th century, has defined turnings due to wear over the centuries. It also features a nicely developed lip and a single turning inside the bowl. The piece has appropriate shrinkage measuring 16 1/4" one way and just over 15 1/2" the other. It stands slightly over 4". A single tight age crack has developed over the years as shown in the top right image. If blue is your color this is your bowl!

(Sold) Early 19th century New England trencher. This utilitarian bowl is in excellent original condition with no crack, chips, or losses of any kind. It is a nice easy size for displaying measuring 20" by 10 1/2 overall. It stands less than 4" to the lip. The original bittersweet paint gives this piece appeal. Wear to the paint gives it character. No doubt this was used regularly as can be seen by the chop marks inside. Color and condition makes this a great trencher for any collection.

If bigger is better, this may be close to the best! This wonderful 19th century trencher measures 27" end to end and 17 1/2" across. It has survived the centuries in remarkable condition with only a single tight age crack in the lip. Besides its great size, the trencher also features nicely carved grips on either end. Of course the original dry red paint makes it undeniably appealing. This is certainly a trencher among trenchers!

Among the humblest of objects in the early American home was the cricket bench or footstool. As a child's seat or a place for adults to rest their feet on a cold night, these were a part of daily life. This piece from a Connecticut collection likely dates to the 18th century. Small by definition, it measures 11" by 7" by 6" tall. Often covered in the Victorian period, this piece wasn't. The original windsor green paint has a great worn surface, and it stands as sturdy as the day it was made.

Fresh from a New England home, this 19th century still life is a recent discovery in absolute untouched as found condition. It has not been cleaned nor are there any restorations. The painting measures 23 1/2" by 19 1/2" overall in its original lemon gold frame. Some minor flaking has occurred, but this fails to deter from the appeal of this early oil on linen. The glass compote at the center anchors a variety of fruit giving this composition its pleasing appearance.

Pumpkin nice! Wonderful old game board painted on the bottom of a barrel. Likely dating to the late 19th century, someone created their own checkerboard by laying out a unique game of checkers in black and pumpkin paint. Bare pine serves as the 3rd color in the alternating squares. The thin pine barrel fragment measures 15 1/2" in overall diameter. This graphic game board is offered as found with some minor loss to one edge. Tracings of another game are found on the reverse.

Early rooster weathervane found in New England. This handmade piece measures 17 3/4" from beak to tail and 13" from comb to legs. Construction and pitting to the surface suggests this rooster easily dates to the earlier 19th century. Alas, the feet have been lost over the centuries, but its wonderful form overcomes this minor loss with its graceful neck and proud tail. A 'whale tail' at the end of one feather adds a folky quality to this early American weathervane.

A true survivor, this small diner sign appears to be one made of necessity more than ability! A pine board measuring 27" by 7" was transformed into a diner sign complete with arrows indicating where to park and likely where to enter. Silver radiator paint suggests this was a depression era make-do sign from the late 1920's or early 30's. No doubt the board was scrap and the sign painted with paints on hand. This is a great piece of real roadside Americana.

Extra large 19th century firkin in original windsor green paint. Standing a full 13 3/4" tall, this sturdy bucket measures 14" in diameter across the lid and 15" at the base. This is the perfect size for the base of a stack or a wonderful piece on its own. The firkin was found in a midwestern collection and remains in the best original condition. It is constructed with copper nails throughout. The lid was mended at some time to keep it solid.

Over the last 30+ years it has been our privilege to own hundreds of game boards. The vast majority of these boards date from the Victorian period through the early 20th century. We are thrilled when we come across an earlier example such as this black and white checkerboard found in Connecticut. Likely dating to the 1850's, this simple country piece measures 12 1/2" by 12 7/8" inside a carved frame. It is in as found condition including an old age crack and a center chip from a square nail?

(Sold) Bentwood pantry box with original handle. 19th century utilitarian boxes such as this were made by various makers across New England and beyond. They were the storage choice of the day by far. This box is typical to many others measuring 11 1/2" in diameter and standing 6 1/2" overall. What isn't typical is the original chrome yellow paint, which makes this pantry box so special. This piece will bring the color of country to any room where its shown from city house to country home!

Great vintage sign found on Long Island Sound. Hand painted on a scrap of shiplap, the sign's message and color are most appealing. It measures 42" by 10" overall. The top corners and bottom lip are protected with copper. Soft color and appropriate wear gives the sign character. No doubt exposed to the elements of the sound, the paint has taken on its own shade of sea foam. The letters are a dry shade of charcoal. Remnants of white drop lettering can be found.

(Sold) 19th century hex sign in original black and white paint. The sign is painted on a thick hard pine disc measuring 15" in diameter. Hex signs were used by the Pennsylvania Dutch by the early 19th century. Such signs were used to put a 'hex' on the structure where it hung thus protecting it. The original crusty surface suggests this piece, wherever it hung, did so for a very long time. It is offered as found with stable age cracks and tight paint with an outstanding surface.

There are signs then there are signs! This most recent find definitely fits the latter category. Found in New York state, this wonderful sign needs know embellishments! It says it all. Irregular wire nails in the breadboard ends suggests the sign is from the earlier 20th century. The precise lettering indicates it was made by a sign painter. It no doubt hung outside as there is more fading to one side. In absolute as found paint and condition, this special sign measures 25 1/2" by 11 1/2".

It is said that of all musical instruments the banjo is connected to the early American experience more than most. With humble beginnings on plantations and rural America, the instrument grew in popularity where it remains today. This unfinished 5 string banjo likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, Skillfully made, it measures 37" end to end. Its sculptural quality is undeniable. With the barest of bones, the eye 'sees' a banjo where there is not!

(Sold) Graphic handmade ring toss game found in Indiana. c.1900. The game is made of pine including a backboard just over 55" long and 7 1/2" wide. 5 applied half round posts consist of faces in red paint attached to thick wood spacers allowing for a rope ring to land and hang thus scoring. This is unlike any ring toss game we've seen. It's a nice size for displaying. The horizontal form makes it an option for different spaces. Original paint plus 3-dimensional graphics give it presence.

(Sold) 19th century painted basket. Possibly southern. This early basket was finely made and is sturdy to this day. The splint basket itself is simple in design but it doesn't end there. The piece features 2 rims. A carved rim attached to the basket is topped with a finer carved rim creating a pleasing double rim. The basket is in excellent condition with no damage. Minor losses to the uppermost rim are pictured. This is truly a special basket deserving of the most discerning collector.