Recent Sales

BLANKET CHEST
Blanket Chests were very popular during the 17th - 19th Centuries. In its simplest form, the blanket chest was a large wooden box with a hinged lid. Chests were used for storage of linens, clothes and valuables. They were also used as additional seating for chairs  which were a luxury in most homes. The form was later referred to hope chests or bridal chests. Having a hinged top and sometimes drawers they were not only practical but beautifully decorated. Today they are prized more for their aesthetics than functionality with the best examples elevated to works of art.

Blanket chests can be categorized in three groups: hardwood chests, usually walnut, cherry, or oak; softwood chests,usually pine and/or poplar; paint decorated chests usually pine or poplar. Chest makers made by woodworkers were prevalent the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Some chests were made in the deep South. The origin of the chest makes a huge difference in value.

Closets were not typical, attics were not accessible and cellars were damp. Over the years, drawers were added to the basic form, increasing the height and evolving into a "mule chest". The drawers were used to by the Colonist to store "Mules" or slippers.  Most chests have a candle drawer or document compartment. Many have bracketed feet and dovetail construction. The hinged lid have mortised chest locks, strike plate and key holes. This was to protect valuables, ammunition, money and documents.

We are offering a Sheraton style mixed wood blanket chest with chamfered panels and an interior document box. It dates 1830 to 1865. It has a chest lock, strike plate and key hole. This chest has square nails with corner pieces and turned feet all in one piece. It has a beautiful honey patina and the inside bottom has been re-stained where needed.

It measures 42" L, 20"W and 28"T. Needless to say it is in excellent condition with clean lines and minor, honest wear. It is a real beauty - very hard to find!

SOLD

A jelly Cupboard is an enclosed shelving unit traditionally used to store jams & jellies. They were also called jam cupboards and jelly cabinets. Constructed of solid woods like walnut or cherry, a jelly cupboard sports a door or set of doors on the front of the cabinet. Typical cabinets contain two or three shelves and sometimes a drawer at the top. They have their historical roots in 19th-century America. Pioneers preserved fruit for the long winter months By 1830, jelly was common in America and appropriate storage was needed. As time passed, the cupboard was used for decoration and storage. Since many cupboards are in kitchens or dining areas,they were used to store china,silver wear and linens.

We are offering a walnut jam cupboard (circa 1860) with three deep shelves. This cupboard has its original finish. It has clean straight lines down the front ending in an elaborate , scrolled apron and bracket feet. It has two mortised doors with metal latches, original strike plate behind one door. 

The measurements are 49"W, 52"T 21.5"D. The top shows moderate honest wear with minor wood loss. There is a knot hole in the top left side but otherwise all surfaces are strong and sturdy. The back is solid and complete with no breaks. It is in excellent condition and can be used to store anything. This piece would be a wonderful addition to any room.

SOLD

BLANKET CHEST
Blanket Chests were very popular during the 17th - 19th Centuries. In its simplest form, the blanket chest was a large wooden box with a hinged lid. Chests were used for storage of linens, clothes and valuables. They were also used as additional seating for chairs were a luxury in most homes.
Closets were not typical, attics were not accessible and cellars were damp. Over the years, drawers were added to the basic form, increasing the height and evolving into a "mule chest". The drawers were used to by the Colonist to store "Mules" or slippers. In colonial America, chests were constructed of various species of lumber from pine to walnut, cherry and mahogany.
Construction was English. Most chests have a candle drawer or document compartment. Many have bracketed feet and dovetail construction. The hinged lid have mortised chest locks, strike plate and key holes. This was to protect valuables, ammunition, money and documents.

We are offering a smoked,grain painted blanket chest, circa 1820-1840. This chest offers powerful patterns on the front and sides, turned onion feet, mortised chest locks, key, strike plate with keyhole, iron hinges, interior secret drawers located below the interior document box . There are brass knobs  mounted to a single board that has a secret lock. Behind the false face are two dovetail drawers. Key is at front desk.

The measurements are 54"W, 23"d, 28"T. The chest shows minor honest wear and is in excellent condition.

SOLD

MULE CHEST

In the early days, closets were not typical, attics were not accessible and cellars were damp. Chests were a pieces of furniture designed to store linens, clothing and blankets.  A  Mule Chest is a wooden chest with a lift top lid over one or two drawers below.  With a chest, if you wanted something at the bottom, you had to remove all the contents. With the drawers underneath, you avoided this problem.
Furniture makers in the early days did not produce a complete set of drawers in one piece. Some craftsmen figured out how to combine a chest with two drawers, making it more practical to store clothing. This hybrid was called a "Mule Chest" because a mule is a hybrid breed of horse and mule .
Itinerant traders used "Mule Chests" in their travels to have easy access to goods for customers. These chests were loaded on mules so that could be another origin of the name.

We are offering a untouched, painted rosewood grain mule chest from New York State, circa 1820-1830. This is a  lidded chest over two drawers. Chest and drawers have original escutcheons, square nails, mortised chest locks, strike plate with keyhole, iron hinges and wooden turned drawer pulls. The chest has an interior document box with lid. The front has an exceptionally high cut out base with a straight apron that curves to bracket feet. The side aprons are curved angel wings. Two nailed on cleats under top of chest were added later to keep the top from warping. All original paint and parts.

The measurements are 43 "W, 19.5'D, 42"T. It is in excellent condition with tight seams and minor honest wear.

SOLD

A dry sink is a functional piece of furniture used up to the 19th century. They were the equivalent of modern day sinks without the convenience of indoor plumbing. It was essentially a wooden cabinet on which rested a water pitcher and basin. The top of the cabinet was recessed to prevent spillage and water damage to surrounding areas while washing or shaving. Dry sinks are usually made of pine but in wealthier homes they may be constructed from other woods. Pricier sinks had the recessed area on top lined with zinc or copper. Generally there is a storage area underneath. They were considered to be an indispensable kitchen accessory.


We are offering a pine dry sink . This sink has two doors opening to one shelf the width of the sink, each door has brass latches.  The lines are clean extending down to the straight apron and feet. This piece shows honest,minor wear and is in overall excellent condition.

The dimension are 32" T,49.5"W,17"D.

SOLD