19th century Parcheesi game board with strong visual appeal and color. Found in Indiana, this piece was purchased out of a great Ohio collection. Corner pockets lined with old ticking suggest this was used for games other than Parcheesi. The piece is made from a single board measuring 25 1/2" by 24 1/2", which is surrounded by a shaped molding. This board has all the appeal of a country antique as well as a piece of contemporary art.
SOLD: March 29th, 2020

Visually pleasing handmade hooked rug found in Maine. Early 20th century. This vintage piece incorporates 5 salmon stars amidst a variety of a free form shapes. Besides salmon other colors include an assortment of neutrals as well as reds, olives, browns, soft blue greys, and more. The rug is finished with a black border. Mounted for display, it measures 30" by 40" as shown.

Colorful set of tin canisters from an earlier time. These 5 tins were found in a New York estate. The form is unique to us. It is most likely they were used commercially in a country store. Each tin has a threaded lid and stands 7" tall. The similarity to calico printed fabrics is undeniable. It is this and color that give these old tin canisters charm. They are a wonderful decoration for use in any kitchen county to contemporary.

'Steaming cup o' joe'! Plywood sign in the form of a freshly brewed cup of coffee likely dating to the 1960's give or take. 16" by 17" overall. This figural sign depicts a classic porcelain coffee cup complete with saucer. The sign is visually appealing with a folky quality. Notice how the steam rises not from the cup but from behind! The combination of naïveté and classic form gives this sign its 'warm' appeal!

Hand painted sign offering 'MINNOWS WHOLESALE'. The piece was found in Wisconsin and likely dates to the 1950's. This is a double-sided sign. Each side is painted on heavy fiber board, which are mounted to an internal thick wooden frame. It is offered in original as found condition including hardware for hanging. The sign measures 48" by 20" overall.

Dating to the mid 19th century this mortar and pestle is offered in original red paint. The mortar itself stands 7" tall. The shaped pestle, guaranteed to be original to the piece, adds another 5 1/2" making the overall height 12 1/2" as pictured. This is an early piece and has developed a small age crack in the base not visible without examination. Other than this affect of time, the mortar and pestle are in fine condition with a most desirable dry red surface.

Early pantry box in original chrome yellow paint. 11 1/4" by 6 1/4". This is a heavy box in the best color and condition. The piece features double seams secured with copper nails and iron hardware with a wire bail handle. Quite simply this 19th century pantry box has it all including size, color, and condition and will be a great addition to the most discriminating collection.

This is a great example of an early American country game board. Found in western New York state, the board likely dates to the 1850's. It is painted on a single thick pine board and measures 13" 3/4 by 13 1/4" including a 1 1/4" frame attached by cut nails. The game itself is 9"x 9" square. Undisturbed mustard and black paint provide a wonderful original surface. The board is stenciled 'FRED. E. GRAY.' on the unpainted backside.

Unusual 3-color checkerboard. Rather than using a contrasting color for creating squares in a red playing field, the maker of this board chose to go 'tonal' by using another shade of red. The effect is more or less that of a 'shadow plaid' unique to us in the realm of game boards. This piece is from an old Wisconsin collection and easily dates c.1900. It measures 31 3/4" by 18 1/4". This is a great example of folk art and a wonderful example of the 'art of the game'.

The desire to play checkers is never more obvious than when it lead the maker to improvise. Such is the case with this make-do checkerboard made from the seat salvaged from a Pennsylvania plank bottom chair. 15 1/2" square overall. Easily dating to the 19th century, this folky piece was found in Lancaster County, PA. It is offered in original as found paint and condition. This is a great addition to any collection adding a bit of whimsy to the genre.

Spice box. c.1900. Wooden spice boxes such as this were a common fixture in kitchen of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. What is not common is the paint on this example. Recently purchased from a collector, this 8 drawer spice box is in wonderful and only indigo blue paint. The box measures about 9" x 17" x 5" overall and is in the best as found condition. This is truly a gem and will look great anywhere it's placed.
SOLD: April 7th, 2020

Good morning!!! Wake up to this vibrantly painted homemade rooster weathervane from Connecticut. This great example of farm made folk art likely dates to the early 20th century. Handmade from sheet iron, this is a smaller piece measuring approximately 12" by 16" overall. It is original in every way right down to its red and yellow oxidized surface. It is shown resting on a contemporary iron stand made specifically for its display.

Great pair of decorative half posts dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Although not identical in every way they have always been together coming from the same house. Measuring near 37" tall, they are in the best original dry red, white, and blue paint. Size and form allow these decorative elements to be used in many ways in many places around the house. It is a wonderful way to bring the outside charm of a country home to the inside of yours!

Gifts of tin were commonly exchanged by couples in the Victorian era of the 19th century. These gifts were often in the form of apparel including both men and women's hats, shoes, collars, etc. Items were generally made 'life size' so to speak. Top hats were a common form, but this is the first miniature we've seen. From New England, it stands less than 4" tall with a brim measuring 6 1/2" in diameter. Although this example is simple in design it is very well made and is in great condition.

Double-sided 19th century game board. Vermont origin. The game is made on a single 17 1/2" square pine board. A 1 1/2" deep frame brings the size to 18 1/2" overall. A much loved and well worn Parcheesi game is backed with a backgammon game. The original red and salmon paint gives this board both sophistication and a minimal appearance.

Small 19th century hanging cupboard. 17" x 7" x 28" tall overall. Handmade, the cupboard is constructed with early thin hand planed pine boards and square nails. The wire hook and snipe hinges are original. Desirable dry bittersweet paint adds to the appeal of this early piece. Found in the midwest, the cupboard is offered in sturdy as found original condition. Small size and light weight makes this country piece practical for use in virtually any room.

Folky target found in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. This handmade target consists of a dovetail case, a cast iron bullseye, and a mechanical carved bird that would fall when the target was struck. The piece measures 22', by 9", and stands 31" tall overall. A dovetailed drawer is marked with the maker's initials, 'EH' on one side and the date '1927' on the other. Cast iron flag holders remain intact on the front. It is offered in original as found condition.

19th century firkin in dry oyster white paint. This is a larger bucket standing 14 1/4" tall. The lid measures 14 3/4" in diameter. Size gives this piece great presence while its color is soft and sophisticated. The firkin remains in sturdy as found condition.

Delightful homemade child's wheelbarrow from a Connecticut nursery. Made for little folks with green thumbs, it easily dates to the 1950s' and remains in great original paint and condition. Folky produce decorates both sides giving the piece its charm. The wheelbarrow measures only 30" from wheel to handle and sits 15" to the top of the handle. The width is 13" overall. Its small size makes it an easy piece to decorate with from table top to countertop. It's also great for flowers.

Late 19th century game board from western New York state. Boards like this were done by professional painters usually working in shops where items other than game boards were also paint decorated. This piece dating to the 1880's shows wear giving this otherwise academic piece a warmth and appeal from use. The dark sienna background is also quite unusual. This is a heavy board measuring approximately 18 1/4" square and set in a 1 1/4" wide frame.

Vintage wicker creel from Maine. c.1920's. This is a common size creel in the most uncommon original blue paint. The piece remains in very good original condition with its leather harness and webbing intact as is the closer.

Large covered basket. 14" in diameter and 14" to the handle. This finely woven basket was Indian made in Maine and most likely dates to the early 20th century. It is in original oyster white paint and remains in mint condition with no breaks or losses. It does show wear to the carved handle from being held and the lid is dust covered as it should be given its age. This is a wonderful example of a native Maine basket.

Larger firkin in original blue-grey paint. 11 3/4" tall. Diameter is 11 3/4" across the lid and 12 1/2" across the bottom. This is a solid staved bucket constructed with copper brads and a single copper staple at the end of each tapered finger. The firkin is tight and offered in sturdy original condition. It is a great size for a stack being the size most often used 2nd to the bottom.

Nineteenth century trencher in paint. This piece measures 20" end to end and 14" wide. It is 4" deep overall. Purchased from an old collection, the bowl is offered in great original as found condition. A minor loss can be seen on one end. The patina indicates this happened many years ago. Giving the trencher strong appeal is its dry original indigo blue painted surface. This is a great piece of early Americana that will make a wonderful addition to any country interior.

Wooden bucket in great original indigo blue paint. Although this firkin likely had a lid at the start, it is apparent the lid has been gone for a long time as there is no shadow around the top and very little wear to the lip. This terrific piece has functioned as a bucket for years and is a beautiful bucket to this day! The firkin is 12" tall. Three tapered hoops feature chamfered fingers and copper nails. With normal wear and tear to the surface, it is in sturdy original condition.