Quick - what's the oldest-known ingredient? If you guessed an onion you are correct, at least as far as what I have read goes. Another question - what was the onion capital of colonial America? You may or may not have guessed New London County, Connecticut. I didn't know that either, but I was curious … Continue reading Early Branded Furniture
California-based Witherell’s auction reports that furniture prices were up in its recent sale. One example is a monumental 1870’s 3-piece Renaissance Revival bedroom suite sold for more than double the estimate bringing $28,750. Had it sold at the height of the market, it probably would have brought in $60,000, but in the past few years … Continue reading Auction Reports Furniture Prices Increasing
Albert Sack once said about antiques: If the proportion isn’t right, nothing is. The American decorative art from 18th and 19th century, regardless of regional preferences and regional characters, has been well defined as a set of specific visual vocabulary, beyond which authenticity and originality would be cast in doubt. But often, Americana has its … Continue reading If Proportion Isn’t Right, So What?
A table at the Old Jail Arts Center in Albany, Texas caught my eye. It's always nice when museums feature decorative arts, but it's especially nice when museums of this size include furniture. The round inlaid center table with a classical form features prominently our first president. I assumed being in this small-town Texas museum … Continue reading George, You’re a Long Way from Philadelphia…
It occurred to me a while back that perhaps the reason the proliferation of shows on television about antiques have generally coincided with a down market is because of the focus on the price. For them to be appreciated and appreciate, antiques need to be something you want to own, not something you want to … Continue reading Could TV Show Furnishings Invade American Homes?
A rare writing desk and examples of early Texas pottery are included in a recent donation of early Texas decorative art items to the Bayou Bend Collection in Houston. That's according to the Houston Chronicle, Maine Antiques Digest and other sources. The gifts were donated by Houston-born sixth generation Texan William J. Hill. Created by Austin cabinetmaker … Continue reading Bayou Bend Receives Important Gift of Early Texas Decorative Art
This Sunday we made it to Houston for the latest edition of the Houston Antiques Dealer's Association (HADA) Show. The show does a very good job of creating an upscale environment without the use of papered walls. Most items are of the traditional antique variety, with the addition of vintage handbags, jewelry. Few other items … Continue reading HADA Returns to Brown Convention Center in Houston
The Philadelphia Museum of Art recently agreed to purchase a mahogany dressing table that has been on loan to the Museum for 36 years. Made in Philadelphia in the late 1760s or early 1770s, the table is the mate to the museum’s monumental high chest, which was donated in 1957 by Amy Howe Steel Greenough. … Continue reading Dressing Table Completes Pair of Colonial Furniture for Philadelphia Museum
The Duncan Phyfe exhibit is now on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Previously at the Met in New York, MFAH is the second stop for the exhibit. Most of what was on view in New York is available in Houston, but there are a few changes. Most notably the comparison of Phyfe … Continue reading Duncan Phyfe Up at MFA Houston
Antique and vintage furniture can offer such style value when compared to newly-produced retail products that it's really remarkable. Take this sofa set designed by Peter Hvidt. The condition seems to be good. It's versatile because its in two pieces, it's not light in look and would fit perfectly into a small contemporary apartment. Finding something in … Continue reading Antique Shopper: Mid-Century Sofa by Peter Hvidt
Urban Art & Antiques 