We were first taken by the original bittersweet color of this box. Next we were taken by its form and small size. Just 15" by 10" by 7" overall. But after one look inside we were sold! This gentleman's box with an arced top was specifically made for carrying shirts, stiff collars, and cuffs. From the Albany, NY area, the newspaper inside dates 1838. The box is made of pine with early cut nails. It is in remarkable original condition. Only the cloth strap securing the lid has been replaced.

We are pleased to offer this double sided game board dating c.1880-90. This dovetailed 'book style' piece measures near 17" square. A pleasing 3-color chessboard decorates the outside, while a finely painted 5-color backgammon game decorates the inside. Adding to the appealing design of the backgammon game is the sophisticated palette used in its creation. This Pennsylvania piece is original in every way making it that much more important. It is a great example of 'the art of the game'.

19th century bucket from New England. This sturdy bucket is in great original condition. It is made with oak staves. Original iron bands remain intact as does the wire bail handle, which is attached with unusual hardware. The bucket is 12 1/2" tall and 10" across the mouth, Making all this special is the original dry bittersweet paint. Although this was likely made for carrying water, its decorative possibilities and multiple uses in a country home are innumerable!

19th century Pennsylvania basket in original green paint. Color and construction make this a visually pleasing piece. The oval rim measures 18"x15" and tapers to an 11" square bottom. The carved handle is 11" high. It is in excellent condition. This basket was likely made for gathering fruits or vegetables. The open weave at the base allowed the produce to be rinsed while still in the basket. This also gave the green paint its appealing washed surface. The handle is stamped 'N MOULTON'.

Tis apple time!!! There are some things we rarely find anymore. And rarely do we find something as fine as this early table top apple peeler. The peeler easily dates to the first half of the 19th century and is original in every way down to the leather belt and bolts for tensioning. The original red paint is unsurpassed in surface. Handmade with mortise joints and pegs, there are no nails. The finesse with which this is made makes this a remarkable piece. 20" by 15" by 12" overall.

Small 19th century bench found in Illinois. Measuring just 14" by 8" by 8" overall, a little footstool such as this is referred to as a cricket bench. These small benches were common in early American homes. They functioned in many ways and were often set in front of the fire for keeping one's feet off the cold floor. Adding extra appeal to this piece is the crazed original paint and wide mortise joint fixing the feet to the top. This wonderful early bench is sturdy and original in every way.

Like many others, we have a thing for signs! This is mostly driven by subject and composition. Here is our first ever SODA sign. At just 14" by 8" this little gem was painted by a pro. And unlike most signs, the owner and location of this sign are all penciled on the reverse. It belonged to 'Frank J Watson of Egypt, Mass, Town of Scituate, Plymouth Country...'. The origin is recorded right down to the 'New World'. This piece dates from the late 19th to early 20th century. Condition is pristine!

Julia Child once said, "With enough butter, anything is good"! We agree! We think nothing makes a butter churn better than original blue paint! This mid 19th century midwestern example is offered in great original condition. Apart from a missing handle to the lid, it is exactly as it was the day it was made. The churn is made of oak staves standing near 23" high. The original dasher stands 23" above the lid. Retired from dashing cream into butter it is now appreciated for its country appeal!

Worth its salt! Delightful 19th century firkin in original Spanish brown paint. Brown pigments are among the earliest and were commonplace in early America. This smaller piece stands just 6 1/2" tall and 6 1/4" across the lid. It was obviously used for storing SALT, which is clearly painted on one side. We like painted buckets, but we're particularly drawn to those with writing on them such as this. A recent find, the firkin is in great original condition with minor losses from use not abuse.

Hingham, Massachusetts has long been associated with the making of early woodenware. This 12 1/2" tall firkin in original deep green paint is marked 'GARDNER - HINGHAM MA' on the lid and is the tallest of the Hingham firkins we've owned. The tapered handle and chamfered fingers are characteristics of these Massachusetts buckets. This is a sturdy firkin showing normal wear to the surface and minor age related imperfections. On its own or as the base of a stack, this is a great early firkin.

We are pleased to make available this 19th century pantry box recently found in western New York state. Apart from a slight bend across the lid, this household piece is in the best possible condition with no losses, cracks, or repairs. Great on a shelf or in a stack, the box is 7 1/4" in diameter and 3 3/4" deep. This bentwood box is made of maple and pine. Giving it appeal is the original dry dove grey paint. Seen in the thin surface are brush strokes and only minor age related wear.

Early egg basket from upstate New York. This smaller 19th century country piece measures 8" by 9" and stands 11" to the carved handle. Adding to the basket's charm is the original green paint including an undisturbed 'barn' surface. Besides color and condition, the basket also has a wonderful form with a round rim and square base. The piece has no breaks or losses with only expected wear to the paint. This is the perfect size basket for hanging on a tree or sitting on a shelf.

Dating to the late 19th century, exercise clubs, or Indian clubs as they came to be known, were introduced to western culture by British soldiers returning from India, They provided a popular form of exercise in late 19th century America. Although such clubs are not uncommon, paint decorated examples such as these are. This pair at near 20" in height are painted a total of 6 different colors and feature sponge decorated necks. Sometimes confused with juggling pins, these clubs are solid wood.

Colorful painted firkins have always appealed to us. As all firkins are simply staved buckets, it is the paint and color that gets us excited. Such is this small firkin in unusual original cherry red paint. This 19th century bucket stands 7 1/2" tall. It is 7 1/2" at the lid and 8 1/4" at the base. There is a very old loss to the lip of the lid. This can be found with a closer look at the pictures. Although there, it does little to distract from the beauty of this early painted firkin.

The graphics of a simple country backgammon game are some of the most compelling in game boards. Backgammon was popular during the 19th century Victorian period. As a result hand painted versions were often fancy reflecting the Victorian style. Country versions from the 19th century like this one from Massachusett's eastern shore are particularly compelling. This book style piece measures 17"x18". The dry white background is enhanced with points painted in black and bittersweet.

Wooden doll's chair in original condition. Dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, this diminutive toy chair stands just 10 1/2" tall. It is 6" across and 5" deep overall. There's no doubt the chair's beautifully worn original blue paint gives this piece its individual appeal. Although appearance indicates the toy entertained its owner for hours, this sweet little chair is original and remains as sturdy as the day it was made. This is the perfect chance for you to 'have a seat'!

Charming handmade pin cushion in the form of a gentleman's top hat. Purchased from a long time Pennsylvania collector, this miniature hat measures just 2 3/8" by 3 5/8". Hand stitched velvet in deep teal was sewn over cardboard to shape the piece. Fabric was sewn over the crown of the hat and the inside stuffed thus creating the actual pin cushion. The bottom is finished with early printed cotton fabric. Likely dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, it is in excellent original condition.

Wonderful bail handle pantry box purchased from an old New England collection. This 19th century box is fresh to the market. Condition and the original robins egg blue paint work together to make this a most desirable bentwood box. It is typical in size measuring 11 1/2" in diameter and 6 1/2" tall. Simply enjoyed by itself or added to a collection of early painted boxes, this classic piece of early Americana stands on its own bringing warmth to any interior from modern to country.

Delightful staved bucket in wonderful blue paint. Dating to the later 19th century, this was likely made as a child's toy. Like children it has 'grown up' so to speak and now is a 'toy' for those who've grown up themselves! This piece is sturdy and original in every way. It stands 5 1/2" to the lip and measures 7 1/4" across the mouth. The tight original wire bands have oxidized nicely. The original blue paint has attained a great dry surface. If blue is on your bucket list here's your bucket!

When it comes to country antiques, make-dos have always interested us. Not only do we find them appealing in their clever design, we're taken by the fact they exist simply from a need to repair and reuse avoiding waste. This is our first early make-do oil lamp. A carved base was made from 2 chunks of wood painted green. The lamp stands 9" high overall. The stem is perfect for gripping. The heavy chamfered base anchors it wherever it's placed. Color and form puts a new 'light' on an old lamp!

An item commonly found in the typical 19th century home was the wall box. Most often this simple wooden box was of modest design offering access to candles or other household things. This 19th century example measures 11" wide and 10" to the tombstone back. The box itself is gently canted measuring 5 1/2" at the lip. The lip itself is wonderfully worn from years of use. The original red paint is crisp with expected wear. All of this works together to create a most desirable early wall box.

Small beehive butter bowl from New England. This sweet little piece measures just over 10" with the grain and only 9 3/4" against. It is 3" deep. The bowl appears to be made of chestnut. The beehive turnings are nicely defined by normal wear to the original blue paint. Adding to the bowl's pleasing form are the well defined lip and foot. This early piece is in excellent original condion with no cracks or losses of any kind. It will make a great addition to any collection of early painted bowls.

Classic game board from New York state. This early appealing game board is painted in 3 quiet colors of Spanish brown, black, and brick red. The piece likely dates from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. A chess/checkerboard on one side is backed by the game of fox and geese on the reverse. The game board is made from one 12" square pine board. It set in a 1 1/4" wide frame attached with early square nails. The game board is 13" square overall and is in crisp original paint and condition.

This beautiful 19th century bail handle pantry box is a New England find. The box is large measuring 14 1/2" in diameter. It is 5 1/2" deep. Although the box has no lid, what remains is just as pretty and most functional. The larger size of this piece makes it useful in many ways, not the least of which is a country centerpiece filled with whatever suits your fancy! Wherever it sits or however it's used, the appeal of this early blue bail handle box is undeniable.

This 19th century solitaire game board was found in Pennsylvania. Measuring just 9" square, the various geometric shapes resulting from the game's design work to create a most interesting game board. General Grant was said to have played this game to the extent it is referred to as 'The Grant Marble Board'. The solitaire game is similar in design to the early game of "Fox & Geese'. This example in 4 different colors is offered in excellent original condition.

This 4-color sign was found in Connecticut. It was most likely used to advertise a tourist camp along the early 20th century New England roadside. The sign was painted on an old salvaged pit sawed pine board measuring 19" by 9". Besides its appealing message and arrow, the fact that it was painted in 4 colors raises the sign to the next level. It is offered in excellent and original paint and condition. Small size and colorful presence makes this a great sign for enjoying wherever it's hung.

A homemade country game board through and through, this old painted checkerboard dates to the late 19th century. It is made from a single board and measures 18 1/2" by 20 1/2" square overall. The surface of dark sage green and mustard paint has heavily alligatored. The partial frame on this board is original and a bit mysterious. For whatever reason, this is how the piece was made. There is no indication of loss or damage. All edge surfaces have the same sage green paint.

Fresh to the market from an old collection, we are happy to make available once again this 19th century Pennsylvania splint basket. Woven in the traditional melon shape, this early piece is in excellent original condition with a single minor loss to the rim. This is visible in the top left image. The basket measures approximately 13" by 14" and stands 12" to the thick bentwood handle. The original grey paint shows appropriate wear with the best dry surface and a desirable overall craquelure.

Pennsylvania pumpkin painted checkerboard. A date of 1929 is scratched into the reverse side of this 1/2" thick pine board. The board is 16" by 14" square. Colors of orange and black are combined to create this simple yet vividly colored game board. It is offered in original condition with a nice dry alligatored surface. Adding dimension to the checkerboard is the faux mitered frame created by the alternating orange and black border. It's not 'pumpkin spice' but we think it's just as nice!

The simple wall box remains one of our favorite things. Like so many things, early ones are getting hard to find. This example was recently purchased from a long time collector. The box itself measures 7" deep and 9" wide. It is 11" in overall height. The piece was homemade in the 19th century from what appears to be maple. The wood in this box is all hand planed and hand chamfered. The tombstone back is carved and slightly off center. The ivory surface adds appeal to this country wall box.