The Shop
is always open!
This ever changing gallery features material currently available for purchase. Click on any image for a closer look. Once you find just what you’re looking for email us at MoPlainFolk@gmail.com for more information and extra pictures if you like. We’ll do our best to make it happen!
(Sold) If there was to be a picture beside the word 'crusty' in the dictionary this could easily be it. Found in upstate New York, this 9" tall firkin has achieved the very best surface; a surface that can only be accomplished over many years. This bucket likely dates to the mid 19th century. The fingers on the firkin are both tapered and chamfered. They are attached with early nails. This piece is as sturdy as the day it was made. It remains in the best original condition.
Child's staved pail in vivid original blue paint. Yes, it is THAT blue! This playful piece easily dates to the early 20th century. It is slightly larger than many standing a full 6 1/2" high and 7 1/4" in diameter across the top. Found in New England this colorful toy was likely intended for play at the beach. The condition of this bucket suggests it may be 'new old stock' meaning it is in like new condition from having never been sold. Beach or no beach this little beauty is fun anywhere!
Occasionally a piece comes along totally unexpected; a one of a kind. Such is this 19th century chair fragment. At only 12" by 13" this thick Windsor plank seat is likely from a child's chair. It was discovered in Connecticut where it has been in a private collection. Making this piece special while adding a certain enigmatic charm are deeply carved initials and the date of 'JUNE 03 1874'. Perhaps this is a record of the children who occupied this seat? This is accidental art at its best!
Perfectly wonderful 19th century Pennsylvania gathering basket. Yes, it is perfect in condition and wonderful in presence. This is a recent find from the Lancaster, PA area. It is a larger basket measuring 23" by 15" at the lip tapering to 15" by 11" at the base. This gives the basket appealing form. It stands 8 1/2" to the double wrapped rim and 16" high to the top of the handle. This piece is in mint condition. Last but not least is the basket's wonderful original dry sage green paint.
Watermelon by the slice! Handmade of 2 pieces of sheet iron, this painted decorative melon was found in upstate New York. Although near impossible to date, we own this because we like it. And if you like watermelon you will, too! The back plate measures 15 1/2" by 8 1/2". The perpendicular slice complete with a missing bite is 14" by 5". Holes for hanging allow this to be hung vertically like a sign or horizontally making it a shelf. This watermelon is refreshing anyway you slice it!
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.
Trade signs have always been among our favorites subjects. This smaller 19th century sign is our most recent discovery courtesy of a long time Michigan friend. Measuring just 32" by 8", the subliminal message of this early sign is easily discerned. This sign thought to have been from a hardware store is double sided with original paint as well as the iron hardware from which it hung. Placement of the sign likely protected it over the years leaving the sign crisp and vibrant.
One of the more common storage pieces in the last half of the 19th century was the large bentwood box. Commonly made of oak and pine with copper. nails, a metal bail handle was then added making the box easier to carry. Color helped make these boxes appealing to collectors over the years. Found in a variety of shades, we are pleased to offer this bail handle pantry box from New England in its original blue paint. The box measures 11 3/4" by 6 1/4" and is in great condition with normal wear.
Very nice trencher from the mid 19th century. This early piece is a local midwestern find where it likely originated. It’s long narrow form distinguishes it from the more elliptical New England form. The trencher is in rich original deep red paint and the very best possible condition. The piece measures 24" long, 10” wide, and 4” deep. Adding to its already appealing form are the nicely carved 'duckbill' handles. The narrow form makes this trencher perfect for a table top or cupboard shelf.
Talk about a wardrobe! Wonderful 19th century miniature wardrobe found in Pennsylvania. At only 12 1/2" tall, 10" wide, and 5" deep, this piece is meticulously made with a dovetailed case top and bottom and mortised doors. It is offered in excellent as found condition with original hardware, however, there is little doubt the glass has been replaced. Fitted with shelves on one side and hooks for hanging on the other, the case sits on small turned feet. This is miniature country at its best!
Miniature chairs are something we rarely offer, but rarely do we see examples of this quality. Made in the early 19th century, this piece was acquired from a well known Virginia dealer. Small in scale it is proportionate in every way with all the hallmarks of a chairmaker by trade. It is sturdily made with mortised joints finished with handmade nails. The chair is offered as found with an early make-do seat attached to the original deep windsor green frame. 17 1/2"x10 1/2" x 8 1/2" overall.
(Sold) We're not big buyers of birdhouses, but then we've never seen one quite like this! Dating to the 1920's or 30's, this was found in New England. The maker of this sweet piece saw fit to embellish the front with a songbird and 2 rabbits along with a porch, steps, and carved corner moldings. All this gives the near 100 year old birdhouse its folky character. The small house measures 11" by 10" and stands just 11" to the gable. It is offered in excellent original paint and condition.
It is our privilege to acquire small early oil paintings from a collector friend. This is our most recent example. At only 10" wide and 7" tall, a New England dirt road is pictured running through a wooded countryside. It has a pleasing presence. The country road takes a turn at the center of the art, taking the eye to the distant tree line and pasture giving the painting depth and perspective. The blue sky overhead makes the picture complete. At a glance a sense of calm prevails.
Wooden silhouette of a 19th century schoolboy complete with a red schoolboy cap and a slate board under his arm for lessons. This double sided figure is 18" in height and 7" in breadth. Brown britches and a waist coat matching his hat completes the outfit. Found in the midwest, the figure easily dates to the early 20th century. The piece is in original condition with a wonderful painted surface. Our boy is attached to an iron base made just for his standing; even if it is in the corner!
As much as we enjoy colorful game boards, sometimes the graphics are all that's necessary to make a great one! The unusual field of 8 squares by 18 squares creates the obsessive nature of this simple 19th century game board. A single hard pine board measuring 11" by 20" was vigorously carved creating alternate squares in relief. This allowed the game to be played by feel, hence the nickname 'blindman's' board. A rounded molding is applied with square and wire nails. It remains as found.
This sweet little 19th century berry basket stands just 4" to the rim. It is near 7" overall to the bentwood handle. No doubt made to be used, there are some minor losses such as seen in the top right image, none that aren't associated with normal or expected wear. The basket was used but never abused. Then there is the color! The original blue paint puts this little beauty in a class of its own. Color, condition, and patina togther makes this basket worthy of the best of collections.
(Sold) The game of Fox and Geese was commonly played by fishermen during idle times on sailing schooners working in the North Atlantic. Though originally played with wood pegs, once on dry land the play quickly changed to tokens such as used in checkers. This early 19th century piece from New England is a great country example. Homemade from pine and hand painted 3 deep colors, this piece measures 15 1/2" by 15" overall. Though simple by design isosceles triangles catch the eye.
(Sold) Color and condition; this early 19th century trencher has both. A recent New England find, this carved bowl measures 19 1/2" end to end and 13" across. It is 5" to the lip. Just because this was a functional piece, never was it said it couldn't be pretty. And pretty this is in original dry robin's egg blue paint. The trencher is outstanding on its own or a colorful addition to any collection of painted bowls. It is offered as found with no damages, cracks, or losses of any kind.
Found in an early barn in upstate New York, this sculptural 19th century tree crotch hook has a great form and wonderful patina. Shapes like this formed naturally as branches grew. Having the proper form to serve as a hook, this was taken from the tree curing over time all the while fulfilling its purpose as a hook. This piece has an 8 1/2" upright. The outward curve of the branch creates an opening of 5"+. The remaining gap is perfect for hanging whatever might need hung barn or home!
This wonderful chalk dove was an Illinois farm sale find well over 40 years ago. It was shown only once at the long gone Home in Indiana Antique Show. Other early chalkware has been discovered in Illinois over the years suggesting this is likely a local piece. Easily dating to the Victorian period of the late 19th century, the dove remains in the best original painted surface and condition with no chips or cracks. This life sized full bodied dove bascially measures 8" by 8" by 4" overall.
(Sold) Many know game boards have long been our forte. Yet after all these years we are excited with each discovery. This, our latest, may be our oldest in some time dating as early as the 1850's. New England origin, the heavy pine game measures 13" square with its bullnosed frame. Back boards bring the depth to 2'. This allowed a space in between for storing game tokens. The lid gone gone. This piece has the best early original paint surface. Construction is with handmade square nails.
Nice old pantry box in original crusty red paint. This bentwood box found in upstate New York dates to the latter 19th century. The box measures 10 7/8" across the lid and stands 6 3/8" high. It is in sturdy clean condition. A chip to the rim of the box is visible in the picture showing the lid behind the box. This is unseen with the lid in place. Simply stated this is an honest everyday bail handle box with appealing original surface that displays well on its own or as part of a collection.
We find clam baskets to be wonderfully compelling in form. Some are made from chicken wire stretched over a wood frame, others are completely made of wood. The purpose of this was to allow drainage as clams were loaded into the basket. This late 19th century example in original paint and condition measures 14" by 12 1/2". It is 11" to the top of the thick bentwood handle. Copper fasteners attach the handle. Wood slats are fixed with early nails. Both have oxidized from exposure to saltwater.
Shelves aren't just for clocks anymore! This nice larger pine shelf was found in upstate New York. The shelf measures 22" wide and 8 1/2" deep making it suitable for baskets and boxes! Giving the shelf character is its beautifully detailed 12" apron. (Note the maker had drawn the cutout on the bottom of the shelf as well.) The surface is the most desirable original dry red paint. Early iron brackets in dry gold paint serve as supports. The piece likely dates to the late 19th century.
No doubt in all our years of buying American country antiques this is the finest dough box we have owned. Purchased privately from a New England collector, this mid 19th century piece is in the best original condition including the dry putty white surface. The dovetailed box with carved lid measures just 26 1/2" long by 13 1/2" wide and stands 10" to the handle. It's made of clear pine, square nails, and early screws in the handles. Big enough to be seen, it's small enough to enjoy anywhere!
Folky fun game board painted in the early 20th century. As interest wained in one game a new game would come along. What better place to create the new one then on the back of the old? It is most likely that is the case with this piece. A pachisi game (the early game from which Parcheesi was adopted) was painted in bright colors on the back of a more subdued 19th century checkerboard. Besides great graphics and color, the center 'HOME' on this board features people and dice. 18"x29" overall.
This early candle mold in old dry oyster paint is a find from our recent trip through New England. This 12 stick mold measures 6 1/2" by 4 1/2" by 11" in height. It is in a most desirable condition with no structural issues. Although 19th century zinc candle molds are relatively abundant, such molds in dry crusty paint are not. Likely painted in the latter 19th or early 20th century, there is little doubt the paint is well over 100 years old. This piece is best desribed as quietly pretty.
(Sold) We rarely buy manufactured weathervanes and have never owned an eagle. As they say, 'never say never'! When we were offered this small 19th century weathervane in wonderful original worn condition we felt the desire to own it. Fresh from a New England collector, this small full bodied copper piece has a wingspan of a mere 9 1/2". Shown on the maple block on which it was found, it stands 10 1/2" high. The early oxidized surface and old repairs give this bird a character of its own!
(Sold) We are pleased to make available this collection of 19th century oval painted boxes in original blue paint. This stack was painstakingly put together by a New England collector. Each is painted a different blue giving an appealing tonal quality to the stack. Standing just 7" overall, the boxes range in size from the smallest at 4 3/4" by 1 3/8" to 5 3/4" by 2". Construction suggests these may have been made in Hingham, MA. We are making these available individually or as a collection.
Over the years we have offered the occasional piece of Victorian wire. But we have never seen or owned a piece comparable to this late 19th century wire tazza. French or otherwise European in origin, this piece is 10" by 8" overall. It has all the bells and whistles from fancy wire to tassels. It also appears to be perfect and complete in every way. If you have a collection of velvet or stone fruit, we have the compote to compliment and complete your collection to be sure!