Homemade wooden blocks. 13 painted blocks in the form of a cape style house make for a simple yet colorful 'village'. These were recently found on a trip to Pennsylvania and likely date to the late 19th or early 20th century. No doubt made as a child's toy, vivid color and minimal design make for a delightful if not playful accent wherever they are set. The larger houses measure about 2 1/2" tall and 1 3/4" thick while the smaller houses are basically 1 5/8" by 1 5/8".

Nice early firkin in original green paint. This 19th century bucket is 9" tall and 9" in diameter across the lid. It remains in excellent original as found condition. It is constructed with copper nails and features a tapered handle. This firkin is both sturdy and clean inside and out. The vivid original color makes it a great addition to a stack or all by itself.

Child's Victorian era stenciled wooden bucket. 4 1/2" tall and 5 1/2" in diameter at the mouth. It is offered in original as found paint and condition including its wire bail handle. Although there is obvious wear to the paint, this 'GOOD GIRL' bucket is in sturdy condition with no other losses or damages.

Large horse weathervane in paint. Pictured on its iron stand, the vane measures 37” nose to tail and 24” to the top of the ears. This was recently discovered lying face down on a dirt floor in an Ohio barn. Handmade of sheet iron, the piece likely dates to the late 19th century. No doubt painted numerous times, it appears it has always been red. It is offered in original as found condition with old losses here and there, none of which take away from the presence of this vibrant red horse!

When it comes to a pure country checkerboard, look no further! This 19th century game board was recently picked in New England. A simple two color game of checkers in black and mustard is painted on a single thin pine board. Over the years the bare pine has achieved a soft attic surface in contrast to the dry paint. Simplicity combined with color make this a great example of an American country game board. It is guaranteed to be original in every way.

Early child-size leather boots. Indiana origin. As is the case with early handmade boots, these are not designated left or right. The boots feature copper toes and meticulously nailed soles and heels. They are offered as found with supple leather and some splits in the side seams as shown. Easily dating to the earlier part of the 19th century, these boots bring the warmth and charm of an earlier time wherever displayed.

Early 19th century staved bucket in old paint. This delightful piece is only 4" high to the lip and 6 1/2" in diameter. Found in western New York, it is in tight original condition including the carved handle and the wooden buttons securing it. The interior indicates the buckets original color. At some point many years ago the exterior was painted a sage grey while the bands with tapered fingers were painted black. This is a worthy addition to any collection of early American woodenware.

Wonderful 19th century wood stave bucket. This is a larger bucket standing just over 11" tall while measuring near 13" in diameter at the mouth. It is the original blue paint and diamond escutcheons that really sets this bucket apart. Also adding to its appeal is its crisp sturdy condition. This bucket is so nice it may be the reason bucket lists were created!!!

Large turned bowl in great original nut brown surface. The bowl is wonderfully warped as any 19th century piece should be. It measures 18” in diameter with the grain and only 16 1/2” against giving it a great form. It is 5 1/2” deep overall. Adding to the appeal of this piece is a well developed lip. Measuring a full 1” wide across the chamfered edge, the lip protrudes creating a grip all around. The bowl is in very good overall condition with a few tight age cracks as seen in the pictures

Unusual homemade game board. c.1900. 14 1/2" square. There's little doubt this piece was made for playing chess. Measuring 2 1/2" deep, two sides feature a drawer for storing a complete set of wooden chess pieces found with the board. Furthermore the entire game rests on a near 1" thick wooden platform allowing the entire board to be turned for viewing at different angles while playing. It is offered in great original surface and condition.

Small 19th century bowl from New York.  This sweet wooden bowl measures only 9 1/2" in diameter against the grain and a full 10" with the grain.  Deep for its size, it stands slightly over 3" to the lip.  The bowl was skillfully turned with a footed bottom surrounded with rings as well as two additional decorative rings below the lip.  This early piece of treen has a dry surface with remnants of the original whitewash.  It is offered in excellent original condition with no cracks or losses.

This colorful country mirror in ogee frame measures 19” by 27”. Dating to the 19th century, it is complete with early if not original mirror in place. Ogee frames were made of wood veneer and typically finished with a stain or varnish. No doubt such was the case with this piece. However, for reasons unknown, this frame was painted a vibrant green and given a deep red border many years ago as is evidenced by the surface. The end result is a great mirror for use in a colorful country room.

This old wooden bucket has survived for well over 125 years. Found on our recent trip to the Berkshires of Massachusetts, this stave lidded firkin has achieved an amazing surface. Wear indicates great use, which only served to give the original paint the look so hard to find. The piece stands about 12" high overall and is 11" in diameter across the lid. Two iron bands remain intact. Two other appear to have been gone for many years. This 19th century bucket is both sturdy and tight.

Tin tankard. This larger tin vessel was handmade in the 19th century. The cup stands a full 7” tall and measures 5” in diameter. The top band the of the tankard is stamped ‘J ROBERGE POT’, which could be the name of the tinsmith who made it? This was recently purchased out of a collection and remains in the very best original surface and condition. Size and form combined with condition makes this a great piece of early American tinware.

Large splint basket in original paint. c.1900. This beautifully made basket measures 15” side to side and 17” end to end. The handle stands 15” high overall. Wide splint combined with a pleasing melon form gives this basket great presence. Adding to the overall appeal is its wonderfully worn surface. Painted only once and that a very long time ago, the original red paint has oxidized and softened to a color achieved only by time. This heavy basket is in great as found condition.

Folky 19th century game board found in western Pennsylvania. This single heavy pine board measures 17" by 18" and is near 1" thick. A hand painted checkerboard in dry eggshell white and reddish-brown is embellished with a folky painted 'mitered' border of multiple shades of brown giving it texture. In effect this creates a 'picture frame' for this otherwise simple country piece. It is offered in original paint and condition.

Small homemade sign offering BROWN EGGS FOR SALE. Measuring only 11" by 9", the sign is lettered on tin, which was then wrapped around a wooden back making the sign a full 1/2" thick. While the size and message are sweet it is the use of brown paint to indicate the egg's color that makes this sign so special. This midwestern sign is original in every way and easily dates to the first half of the 20th century.

Wonderful 19th century oyster bucket. The 'RR HIGGENS' company was founded in 1828 in Boston, Massachusetts and was one of the largest purveyors of oysters to the Chesapeake and beyond. This bucket likely dates to the 1860's give or take. It is in original salmon paint with green stenciling and stands 12" tall. The condition is both sturdy and complete including all hardware, wire bail handle, and diamond escutcheons. This is a wonderful piece of historical New England Americana.

Wonderful wooden watermelon sign from St Louis, Missouri c.1950's. 47" by 11" overall. Homemade and hand painted, the sign is on board as opposed to plywood. Holes drilled along the rind suggest it may have been lighted at one time. Apart from some loss to one end, this watermelon is in great condition and ready to bring cool refreshment anyplace it's hung.

Small painted game board from the late 19th century. A product of a German cottage industry, these were made for the American market the same as Noah's Arks among other toys. This folding board is made of two halves measuring only 7" square features 3 different games. It remains in great original paint and condition. Color and size makes this a most appealing game board. It brings fun and charm to any room where it's displayed.

Wonderful homemade stool found in the Mid Atlantic area of the east coast. This 19th century stool is ingeniously made using a natural section of tree root as a base. The root base is mortised into the shaped and chamfered seat making the piece quite sturdy. Adding to its appeal is old dry white paint over the original blue. Measuring 15" x 9" x 11" overall, this small bench is huge in character. The stool is offered in original as found condition.

Nineteenth century pantry box with wire bail handle. 11 1/4" by 6 3/4". This early box is offered in original as found condition. A dry mustard surface gives this pantry box special appeal to those who appreciate painted country antiques. Recently purchased from a friend this sturdy piece is being made available for the first time in many years.

Carved wooden shovel found in New York state. 31" handle to tip. The blade measures 9 1/2" wide overall. Likely dating to the 19th century, what makes this utilitarian piece appealing is color. This humble wooden tool takes on great presence given its original blue painted surface. It is apparent from the wear to the paint the shovel was used over the years, however, it remains in excellent original condition with no cracks or damages of any kind.

Small rooster weathervane from the top of a hen house. The rooster measures approximately 15” by 16” as shown roosting on its iron stand. This sweet handmade sheet iron vane likely dates to the early 20th century, if not before. A wonderful rooster sitting atop a graphic 3-dimensional arrow makes for a great farmhouse statement in any interior. The weathervane is offered in original as found condition with some traces of the original paint remaining.

Nice old gathering basket in original deep red paint. Found in the midwest, this likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is well made with an appealing double wrapped rim. It was a work basket and shows signs of use. There are minimal losses primarily limited to those shown in the bottom right image. The bottom also shows wear to the paint. The basket measures a full 18" end to end, 12" across, and 12" high overall to the top of the carved bentwood handle.