Boy with Hoop Toy Early American Folk Art Oil on Canvas Portrait »

Circa 1840s: Fine early American folk art paintings of children with their toys are especially desirable, and this spectacular oil portrait of a young man with hoop toy from Androscoggin County, Maine, measures 30" tall by 25" wide and is housed in a 38 1/2" x 33 1/2" frame.

For Sale: $5,500

Painted Wooden Hand Carved Folk Art New England Soldier Whirligig »

Circa 1890-1910: This handsome and expertly carved blue-eyed soldier whirligig stands just under 9" tall with its propellers at 19" end to end and comes to you in its striking original four color paint decoration of red, blue, beige, and black. Note that this is one of two museum quality whirligigs we are offering by the same as yet unkown carver. Both of these whirligigs are so skillfully wrought that surely there must be others out there. Perhaps a folk art scholar will one day identify this superb folk artist's work and pull their name from the long annals of American history.

For Sale: $2450

Antique Sage Green Painted Folk Art Whirligig of Carved Wooden Soldier »

Circa 1880-1910: The incredible detail on this petite New England folk art soldier whirligig in unusual original sage green and black paint points to the masterful skill level of its anonymous carver. Notice, for instance, that the carver has hand cut six tiny tin washers and applied them with hand cut brads to serve as buttons on the soldier's coat. This is one of two whirligigs made by the same anonymous carver that we are offering on the open market.

For Sale: $1950

Deep River, Indiana, Dated Double Sided Paint Decorated Wooden Gameboard »

Circa 1858:This double sided checkerboard and Nine Men's Morris gameboard retains it original mustard and black paint decoration and is inscribed "1858 Deep River, Ind." Hung diagonally, as was its original intention, this wonderfully crazed and aged painted gameboard forms a visually dynamic 23 1/2" x 23 1/2" diamond.

For Sale: $1250

Antique Canadian Folk Art Carved Wooden Glaucous-winged Gull »

Circa 1950s: This life-sized glaucoused-winged gull, a bird native of the northwest Pacific coast, is, on one side of its wooden base, signed "Made by Harry Otto / Merchant Marine Transports Boer-War 1898-1902 / Royal Enginners World-War-I / To Mum and Dad from "Bill" Canadian Leagion No. 191 Chemainus. B.C."

For Sale: $750

Antique American Folk Art Double Roosters Hooked Rug »

Circa 1920-1940: This handsome antique folk art hooked rug of a pair of roosters eyeing each other is graphically pleasing because the roosters are presented on a neutral cream background and framed in six thin multi-colored borders. These elements give our cocky barnyard friends a lot of visual pop and force the viewer to focus on their beauty and poise. Measuring 34.5" x 19.5", this punchy antique country hooked rug comes to you professionally mounted and ready to hang.

For Sale: $1650

1885 Paint Decorated Pennsylvania Machine Shop Wooden Trade Sign »

Circa 1885:This superb 38" x 19" dated 1885 trade sign in orginal black and white paint decoration hails from Bradford, Pennsylvania, in McKean County, which borders the state of New York. It is here in Bradford, a north central Pennsylvania oil boomtown, in 1875 during the heat of the Pennsylvania Oil Rush that G. W. Ross established his Ross Machine and Repair Shops and ran these businesses until J. H. Ross assumed ownership in 1886.

For Sale: $1750

Antique American Folk Art Shirred Rug of Dog Named Pootsie »

Circa Late 19th Century: One has to smile at the thought of a dog named Pootsie! This charming shirred rug (forerunner of the ever popular hooked rug) measures 36" x 23" and depicts Pootsie against a blue and white background and flanked on both sides by colorful summer flowers. The rug's rounded corners add a graceful touch to this endearing antique folk art textile.

For Sale: $1650

Antique American Folk Art Hooked Rug of Two Primitive Horses »

Circa First Half 20th Century: These naively done horses in a seldom used muted green color scheme give this superb 33" x 16" professionally mounted folk art hooked rug an unusually fine visual appeal reminiscent of the likes of renonwned outsider artists such as Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Bill Traylor, and Mose Tolliver.

For Sale: $1450

Antique Paint Decorated Marblized Small Wooden Firkin »

Circa 1880: Measuring 4 3/4" high, this highly stylized paint decorated antique firkin is a delightful beauty. Marblized techniques were popular in the mid to late 1800s and the painting techniques were applied to a variety of objects. Finding any marblized painted pieces from this era is a treat and finding the whimsical decoration on this already hard to find small sized firkin makes it even better. The example of the marblizing talents on this small firkin are spectacular. Black paint swills and drips into mesmerizing patterns. The lid is exceptionally crafted and even the bottom is painted as no detail is left out. Picked from a kitchen on a buying call, this little beauty is fresh to the market and we are very pleased to offer it for sale.

For Sale: $1650

1860s Antique American Wallpaper Covered Wooden Box »

Circa 1860s:Collectors of antique wallpaper boxes will appreciate the unusual shape and size (9" wide, 2.75" tall, 6.75" deep) of this 1860s Civil War era wooden wallpaper covered box. We love the wonderful muted pallette with its seaweed like decoration in golden ochre and blue printed paper cover. The inside is lined with marriage certificate to be used in 186_, along with an etching of a horse drawn cannon. The newspaper lined bottom even retains a column on capital punishment taken from a New York paper. Solid condition and unusual size make this interestingly decorated wallpaper box an attractive and desirable piece of mid 19th century country Americana.

For Sale: $475

Antique Blue Paint Decorated Doll Sled in Original Surface »

Circa 1890-1910: Measuring a robust 17" in length, 5 3/4" in height, and 5 1/2' in depth, this child's doll sled, with its dramatically arched runners and expertly hand painted polychromatic floral decoration on a desirable dark blue ground, is in excellent as found condition with no paint touch ups or repairs.

SOLD

Important Patriotic Civil War Era Pennsylvania Folk Art Scherenschnitte »

Circa 1861-1863: This 17" x 20" patriotic papercut housed in a 21.5" by 24.5" period style frame is an example of one of the most iconic scherenschnittes ever created. In fact, a smaller version of this piece (two sizes are known) entitled "American Fantasy" is illustrated on page 98 of Lipmann and Winchester's seminal 1974 volume, The Flowering of American Folk Art (1776-1876).

For Sale: $5800

Folk Art Hooked Rug "Bob & Rose" with Stars & Hearts »

Circa Early 20th Century: Measuring a robust 64" by 27", this charming and colorful folk art hooked rug depicts a love story between two fine dogs, Bob and Rose. Note that our canine friends are looking into one another's eyes and are wagging their tails.

For Sale: $3750

Early 19th Century Full length Double Watercolor Portrait »

Circa 1830: Here, an unknown itinerant artist makes use of his talent in this interesting tale of a tall, portly gentleman holding his hat and making eye contact with a petite, educated, slightly older lady, book in hand, in an amazingly vivid blue dress as they stand on a boldly decorated carpet. Each gazing forward with their own purpose and past, this unlikely duo is captured in this charming early watercolor.

For Sale: $2350

Civil War Canteen with Patriotic Flags and Folk Art Paint Decoration »

Circa 1876: This Civil War canteen belonged to Charles H. Davis, who served in Company G. of the 12th Massachusetts Volunteers. Obviously, Mr. Davis had his battle canteen painted for GAR reunion encampments, and we believe that this canteen was made for the centennial encampment because of the red, white, and blue American flag and shield and the additions of the words "Union" and "In God We Trust." This five color painted canteen would have made quite an impression on its viewers and would have showcased Mr. Davis's love of God and country, values which have become woven into the American fabric.

For Sale: $7250

Antique American Diminutive Eagle Weathervane »

Circa Late 19th Century: We love the honest weathered surface on this diminutive eagle weathervane that measures only 14.25" high including museum stand and has a petite 16" wingspan. Possibly Harris and Company, Boston Mass.

For Sale: $3950

Antique Splint Woven Basket in Original Green and Black Paint »

Circa 1920s: Measuring 13.5" wide by 12.5" tall to the top of the handle, this wonderful splint woven gathering basket retains its orginal vibrant green and black paint. Condition is excellent with a few typical minor usage breaks but nothing that takes away from the basket's visual or structural appeal. Early 20th century baskets with orginal polychromatic paint decoration are hard to find, and this one is a real eye catcher that will fit in with any advanced collection of antique American basketry or early American country primitives.

For Sale: $650

Antique Ferdinand Sylvaro Nantucket Lightship Sewing Basket »

Circa 1930: Measuring 7" wide by 8 1/2" tall to the top of the handle, this unusual Nantucket Lightship sewing basket made by Ferdinand Sylvaro is a sight to behold. The basket still retains its orginal fabric and looks as if it has never been used. When Mitchell Ray retired from basket making in the first decade of the 20th century, he sold his basket molds to Sylvaro, who in turn made high quality baskets in Rhode Island for the next three decades.

For Sale: $1650

Patriotic Painting of Racing Schooner Ship Joseph Pulitzer »

Circa 1896: Measuring a compact and desirable 11 1/2" x 14" in its original 14 3/8" x 16 5/8" frame and housed under good, old wavy glass, this superbly rendered folk art guache or heavy watercolor painting of the racing schooner Joseph Pulitzer retains its vibrant colors, is labeled with Mr. Pulitzer's name three times, and is pictured with its American flag waving in the Atalantic Ocean's summer breeze.

For Sale: $1,850

Turned Head Illinois River Decoy »

Circa 1920s-1940s: Here is a wonderful Illinois River mallard hen decoy in the turned head form that features completely original and untouched painted surface. The decoy is done in the typical hollowed out two-piece construction common to Illinois River birds and has a flat bottom that would make it balance well in turbulent conditons.

For Sale: $395

Vibrant Parcheesi Game Board on White Ground »

Circa 1930s1940s: Measuring 16" square, this homemade folk art Parcheesi board with a beautifully crazed surface has an eye catching white ground that accentuates the other bright colors, especially the barn red, of the second quarter 20th century oil based enamel paint. One can tell this board is a genuine example of naive folk art rather than a professionaly made piece because of the bleeding and inexact points and thicknesses of the stripes, which add charm to this lovely gameboard.

For Sale: $895

Antique 3 Color Pennsylvania Parcheesi Board »

Circa 1880s: The excellent compass decoration on this 19th century folk art gameboard is a sure sign that it has a Pennsylvania origin as this type of design can be traced back to 18th century Pennsylvania German immigrants. Fine detailed lines in bright mustard yellow and vibrant bittersweet on an oxidized red ground with original molding with great hand forged square nails make this a perfectly original game board. Great crackling in the paint and excellent condition on the original paint decoration. Measures 23" square.

For Sale: $2,350

Early American Antique House Sampler from Warsaw Illinois »

Circa 1834: Rare piece of early American folk art— Illinois samplers are rare and desirable, and Clarinda Park's incredibly eye catching 1834 house sampler from Warsaw is an early example from already rare and hard to find Illinois samplers.

For Sale: $6,500

Best Pair of Antique American Folk Art Memory Jugs »

Circa 1900, Outstanding Decoration: Standing 13" in height, this pair of highly decorated folk art memory jugsis an impressive sight to behold. Each jug is filled with a myriad of delightful turn of the last century trinkets, including dolls, tokens, silverware, small ears of corn, and much much more! To top it off, these whimsical jugs were set upon nine inch tin plates so that the maker (or makers as the case may be) could have even more room for decoration.

For Sale: $950

Twelve Piece Folk Art Set of Odd Fellows Fraternal Symbols »

Circa 1930-1950: This set of twelve Odd Fellows fraternal symbols recently came out of the lodge in Kewanee Illinois. This is a very special and unique opportunity to acquire a whole set of carved American folk art in one collection. The symbols are fantastic, inclucing the most seen I.O.O.F. gravemaker symbol or emblem, The Chain With Three Links, meaning Friendship, Love, and Truth. Odd Fellows are also known as “The Three Link Fraternity.” Selling as a complete set.

For Sale: $2,400

Rare Berlinware Early American Paint Decorated Document Box »

Circa 1810: Paint decorated tinware box with rare blue ground from Berlin Conneticut, attributed to the group IV makers in Berlin, CT.

For Sale: $2795

Antique American Patriotic Folk Art Pen and Ink Drawing
of George Washington on Horseback  »

Circa 1850s: This charming folk art pen and ink drawing of General George Washington on horseback is surely modeled after the 1850 Currier and Ives print of the father of our country. Although the artist's attention to detail is commendable, it is through the naive yet pleasant depiction of our first President's face that the viewer can tell this is the work of a skilled but untrained artist. Note the two guache highlights, one on the boot and the other on Washington's eye, This is a fabulous and whimsical example of 19th century patriotic American folk art in which General Washington, atop his trusted steed, forever tips his hat to those who look his way.

For Sale: $650

Petite American Chinese Checkers Game Board with Orange Ground »

Circa 1920s-1930s: Because small gameboards are difficult to find and also fit in a wider variety of places than do their larger counterparts, collectors are always searching for petite borads. This handsome seven color paint decorated 14" x 12" oak Chinese checkerboard housed in its original frame certainly fits the bill. The delightful and unusual orange ground calls attention to the game and makes it a major focal point even though its size is diminutive.

For Sale: $950

1930s-1940s Painted Red and Black Checkerboard »

Circa first half 20th Century: The previous owner cleverly hung this board diagonally, and we've left it that way. Striking and simple, this 16" square painted black and red wooden gameboard is bold and striking with carved relief trays and highly imaginative circular inset playing field adding to its bold, sculptural three-dimensional elements.

For Sale: $750

Important Frank Haws Western Stoneware Old Sleepy Eye
Blue & White Folk Art Lunch Hour Pitcher Signed FH 1910 »

Circa 1910: Here is the finest Western Stoneware lunch hour piece we have ever seen. Frank Haws, one of the most prolific, highly skilled, and important of Western's potters, crafted this exuberantly cobalt decorated Old Sleepy Pitcher in 1910. Lunch hour pitchers from Western Stoneware are highly prized, and pieces signed by known potters are extremely rare and desirable. This stunning one of a kind Illinois folk art stoneware pitcher is a fabulopus example of American folk art and could be the centerpiece in any advanced collection of Illinois stoneware or blue and white potttery.

For Sale: $2250

Folk Art Paint Decorated Child's Chest »

Circa 1870: With flamboyant decoration and great form, this bold, paint decorated New England circa 1870 folk art child's chest sports a pure, untouched finish and construction with no repairs or alterations. Measuring a useful 30" H x 28" W x 13" D, this playful antique chest will make a bright addition to any room in the house.

For Sale: $3,500

Folk Art Horse Hooked Rug »

Circa 1890-1910: This fabulously folky and naive hooked rug depicts one full-bodied horse and one horse's head. The rug measures 25" by 17 1/2" including its unusual hand woven burlap fringe.

For Sale: $895

1938 Red, White and Blue Folk Art Hooked Rug »

Signed and Dated: EF '38, one of three by the same maker

Circa 1938: Strong and bold graphic content, great clor and whimsical theme, signed by EF '38, one of a trio of folk art hooked rugs by the same artist. Vibrant colors and superb graphic appeal.

For Sale: $550

Folky, Whimsical Vintage Hooked Rug »

Signed: EF, one of three by the same maker

Circa 1930s: Charming and vibrant, signed EF , one of a trio of folk art hooked rugs by the same artist.

For Sale: $450

"Going to School" Pen and Ink Drawing »

Signed O.W. Clark 1911 on back: A charming red cloaked girl ties her boots and says, "Wait for me." Her lunch pail at her feet and a little petticoat showing. Sweet, naive watercolor, ink and graphite.

For Sale: $295

Archie Zimmerman Folk Art Collection »

This sizable museum quality collection is truly a treasure trove of American polychromatic folk art, all hand made by Plumville, Pennsylvania born carver Archie Zimmerman (1861-1961).

Archie Zimmerman Folk Art Collection
as seen on the cover of Antique Week November 2, 2009

19th Century Wallpaper Box »

Circa 1870s: Great Color on this early wallpaper box. Wonderful greens, mustards, golds and browns wrap around this delightful lidded wallpaper box.

SOLD

Antique 4 Color Paint Decorated Patriotic Parcheesi Game Board »

Circa 19th Century: Because of the red, white, and blue color scheme, this double sided Parcheesi and checkers gameboard was most probably made by a professional carriage painter around the time of the 1876 US Centennial. The black dots, lines, and painted edges help make the other colors pop and show off the maker's skill. Measuring a hefty 18" x 17.75", this nearly square antique gameboard has a desirable crazed surface and an eye catching visual appeal that will make it stand out in any setting.

SOLD

Antique Tenth Wedding Anniversary Tin Top Hat »

Circa Second Half 19th Century: In the post Civil War era, it was fashionable for couples to go to the local tinsmith and buy tin objects to present to their spouses for their 10th wedding anniversary, the tin anniversary. A variety of whimsical forms were made: top hats, bonnets, shoes, baskets, musical instruments, and more. These items were meant as keepsakes for this marriage landmark.

SOLD

Antique American Folk Art Painting on Board »

Circa 1900-1920: American Folk Art Painting of Eagle on perch

SOLD

19th Century 5 Color Checkerboard with Slate Blue Gray Border »

Circa 19th Century: Measuring just about 18" square, this checkerboardboard is an exceptional example of folk art paint decorated antique wooden gameboards. The appealing slate blue gray border with decorated white freehand border pattern graphically frames the graphic and unusual checkered central field. Chrome yellow, white, black, gold, and deep blue are used conservatively cover the surface to create a modern Escher-like feel with the gameboard's great positive and negative visual play.

SOLD

Original Mitchell Ray Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket »

Circa 1900: This superbly patinated Nantucket basket has the wooden bull's eye basket bottom usually attributed to Mitchell Ray, the most famous of the early Rhode Island basket makers, and the early wooden staves associated with lightship baskets made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Measures 7 1/2" wide by 9 1/2" tall to the top of the handle.

SOLD

Signed Harris and Co. Dexter Full-Bodied Running Horse Weathervane »

Circa Late 19th Century: This 27" Harris running horse weathervane is constructed of molded gilt copper, has zinc ears, and is stamped "HARRIS and Co." in tiny letters on one side of the horse. The vane is 18 1/2" tall mounted on its museum stand and has a superb original surface. A single bullet hole has been repairedon one side of the weathervane. The conditon, patina, and originality of this handsome 19th century Boston MA weathervane from one of the premier manufacturers of its day is absolutely superb.

SOLD

Abe Lincoln Carved Plaque »

Circa 1946: Abe Lincoln Carved Plaque

SOLD

Unique Matching Pair of Carved Mallard Decoys »

Circa 1930s: This pair of diminutive folk art mallard decoys was found in Lawrence, Kansas. Wonderful original surface and multiple colors...

SOLD

Abe Lincoln Carved Bust »

Circa 1900-1920: Exquistely executed carving of Abe Lincoln bust

SOLD

Antique Country Primitive Original Painted Green Firkin »

Circa 1870-1890: This truly unusual original mustard and green paint decorated 19th century firkin lwas used to store ground (or as the script on the bottom of the lid documents, "pulverized") cassia bark, also known as Chinese Cinnamon, an aromatic spice similar to and often used in conjunction with cinnamon. Cassia is used to flavor many cooked dishes, but it is an especially popular ingredient in liquer and chocolate recipes. Standing nearly 12" tall sans handle and measuring 11 1/2" in diameter at the top and just over a foot at the bottom, this large firkin was most certainly a mercantile piece from a general store, bakery, or confectionary because only a commercial enterprise would have the need to house cassia in such abundance, thus making the spice bucket's highly exotic painted moniker extremely rare.

SOLD

19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Jack of Clubs Playing Cards Box »

Circa 1880s: Parlor games were at the height of popularity in the late nineteenth century, and this terrific 5.25" wide x 8.75 long x 1.5" deep folk art painted and marbleized paper covered wooden box was meant to hold a deck of oversized playing cards. The highlight of this 19th century pine box is, of course, the hand painted foppish blonde-haired and blue-eyed jack of clubs box top in its highly whimsical and extremely complex seven-color paint scheme.

SOLD

Double Sided Gamboard in Salmon, Apple Green, and Black Paint »

Circa Late 19th Century: Both sides of this striking 16 1/4" x 16" handmade antique gameboard are pleasingly graphic. The Old Mill Game, also known as Cowboy Checkers, Nine Men's Morris, Marelles, and a host of other monikers, is an ancient board game that can be traced back at least as far as the Roman Empire. This handsome board consists black lines on an unusual salmon ground, with the checkerboard in apple green with inpainting similiar to grain painting.

SOLD

19th Century Cherry Red and Silver Paint Decorated Sled »

Circa 1870-1890: This wonderful Antique American paint decorated sled boasts fabulous cherry red and silver paint decoration.

SOLD