Early mortar and pestle in vibrant original red paint. Fresh from a New England collection, this piece has nice turnings, which add appeal to the graceful vase shape. The base measures only 4 3/4" in diameter. From there the piece opens up to 6 1/4" at the mouth while it stands 7 5/8" high. The original mortar measures 10 3/4" in length. Form, color, and condition come together making this early example of country woodenware worthy of any collector of painted smalls.

Surface! Surface! Surface! This early 19th century bail handle box has an amazing blue on blue surface. Found in Massachusetts, the box measures 9 3/4" in overall diameter and stands 6" tall. The original lighter blue and can be seen at the rim under the lid. The darker blue which is also early and equally dry has left the box with a most appealing deep rich textured color. Simply put this is an early country box with a sophisticated presence.

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!

Wear is the beauty of this early 'step down' Windsor side chair. Originally painted white with black trim and a decorated crest, time and use has brought this 200 year old chair to its present state. Remnants of the original paint are dry and crusty. Wear to the seat is such that it is bare with a soft warm patina. The chair measures 34" in overall height while the seat is a full 17 1/2" high. There is wear but no losses. This sculptural chair remains sturdy and most functional.

Half a farmhouse for sale! We are pleased to 'list' this unique diorama featuring a midwestern prairie style farmhouse and small barn. Originally found in the Sandusky, Ohio area, the piece dates anywhere from the late 19th to early 20th century. Entirely handmade, the 'property' measures 35" by 20" overall. The canted case is near 12" deep at the base and is 9" deep at the top. It is offered in excellent original paint and condition and includes one friendly dog who just showed up one day!

The old grey mare is JUST what she used to be! Nice late 19th century shoofly rocker from Pennsylvania. This is a quietly pretty piece of country Americana with its original dry grey paint. Remnants of dapple decorations as well as the saddle and mane remain. Overall dimensions of 38" by 22" by 14" makes this horse a nice size for displaying whether it be high on a table or cupboard or down low under a table or in front of a fireplace. This sweet shoofly remains in great as found condition.

(Sold) Colorfully painted wooden game wheel typically referred to as a 'wheel of fortune'. Measuring 29 1/2" in diameter, the piece is offered in original as found condition with normal scuffs to the paint and wear to the wood. Giving this game wheel extra appeal is its 5 colors decoration. With dry creamy white for a background, red, green, black, and blue are used to finish the piece. Colorful decoration and crisp original condition makes this a great game wheel any game board collection.

Colorful handmade wooden fan blade from the mid 20th century. This visually pleasing piece was recently found in Illinois. It may have been intended for a whirligig? Regardless, it doesn't appear it was ever used at all. It remains in excellent original condition. The piece measures just over 33" in diameter. Besides its colorful presence, a center star adds to the overall design. The fan makes a wonderful graphic hung on a wall.

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.

Colorful homemade marble toy. 26" by 5" by 12" high overall. This toy likely dates to the early 20th century. It remains in excellent condition and vibrant original paint. Often associated with the Amish, this example in 4 colors is simply one of the best we've seen over the years. It is fully dimensional with a feel of modern art. Its sculptural nature makes it a great decorative piece for most any interior from country to city.

(Sold) Wonderful 19th century handmade sewing box found in Wisconsin. This delightful piece measures a mere 8 1/4" x 4 1/4" x 9" high to the crest. Small but sturdy, the box is made of pine and features 2 drawers with original knobs. Posts for spools remain intact as well. Four colors give the box colorful appeal. It is embellished with a single heart for affection and multiple diamonds for luck. Carved circles along the crest add whimsy. This is a delightful example of American folk art.

Early woodlands basket with lid. Purchased from a long time Pennsylvania collection, this colorful basket dates to the 1860-1880's. It is offered in remarkable original condition with only minor losses visible in the bottom right image. It is a great size measuring 10" square and just under 9" in overall height. There is no doubt, however, that the vivid forest green and bittersweet splints give this sculptural basket its appeal. Scale, dimension and color make this an exceptional example.

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".

We have always been attracted by the form of wood totes and their various uses. In our house one is used for holding remote controls and another for organizing keys, etc. This larger example in original paint measures 19" by 12" and offers even more possibilities. Shown here holding a 12" square game board, this is also a nice size for displaying small bowls and cutting boards. From the late 19th or early 20th century, it is made with canted sides and a single 12" wide chamfered bottom board.

Period Empire mirror from the 'ELI GILMAN Looking Glass Manufacturer, 148 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut'. Eli Gilman began manufacturing looking glasses in 1787 continuing through 1842. This looking glass was recently purchased from a long time Ohio dealer. It remains in the very best condition with its original glass. This is an amazing survivor of American manufacturing surviving over 200 years in untouched condition.

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!

Big black Parcheesi game board from New England. At 29" square this graphic piece of game board art makes a statement. Minimal in design but powerful in color, the simple statement in rich mustard and deep red on a black background says plenty! Dating to the late 1900's, this game began life as a tabletop. It was found in New Hampshire and may have been from a lodge or club? Then there's the surface! Alligatoring throughout takes this piece to the next level!

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.

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.

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.

(Sold) There are some things that one would never expect. We would have to put a paint decorated farrier's tray near the top of that list. This piece was bought at a farm sale over 30 years ago in the central Missouri community of Taos. It has been in the same Missouri collection until now. The tray with handle is heavy and is in untouched as found condition. A prancing horse is painted on each and a hex sign at each end. 20" by 16" by 9" overall.

(Sold) Game board? Art? Art of the Game! Early 20th century Parcheesi game painted on 2 thick pine boards. Found in the midwest, this piece measures 19" by 24" overall. A small 12" Parcheesi game in vibrant jewel tones appears to 'float' above a soft celadon green background. This game board has the rare combination of country folk art and sophistication all in one.

(Sold) Large 19th century wooden trencher found in New Hampshire. This larger piece is offered in excellent original condition with no cracks, chips, or holes. The trencher has a bold form measuring 19 1/4" by 14" square. It is slightly 5" deep overall. Giving the piece appeal is its unusual teal blue paint. This rich original surface makes it a great addition to a collection of painted bowls or an excellent place to start one!

(Sold) 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!

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 checkerboard like this just 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?

Undeniably simple but undeniably practical; this is country furniture at its best! Small pine bench in original red paint. Vermont origin. Late 19th or early 20th century. Measuring 23"x11"x10" tall, this humble piece can be used in so many ways in so many places from low side table to bucket bench, which was likely its intended purpose. The bench is made using early wire nails. It is well constructed and remains in sturdy original condition and dry surface.

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.

Vibrantly painted miniature 4-drawer chest. 9 1/2" X 9 1/2" X 5 1/2" overall. This 'sweet' little handmade piece from the early 20th century was made from 19th century candy boxes. Remnants of a paper label identifies the company as 'SYRACUSE CONFECTIONS, WM. RAGG.'. Besides the original bittersweet paint, a piece of beaded trim is its only embellishment. Age cracks in the thin stock were stabilized many years ago. The chest is in otherwise crisp clean original condition.

(Sold) The beauty of anything antique or automobile is indeed in the eye of the beholder. And that beauty comes in many forms. In the case of this humble homemade grater it begins with its sheer existence. Found on a barn wall in Illinois, the sculptural nature of this metal and wood object measuring 12"x24" is undeniable. And although not beautiful in the traditional sense, beauty is found in the simple compelling strength of the object. This is a great survivor and farm art at its best.