November 27, 2008

Folklife Museum “Toyland at the Museum” exhibit

The Folklife Museum in Farragut TN invites patrons to relive their childhood by visiting its “Toyland at the Museum” exhibit, on display through Jan. 16. They have toys from the middle 1800s all the up to 1950.

November 25, 2008

Flemington New Jersey 39th annual Antique Show

The 39th annual Antique Show at the Hunterdon Central High School Field house will be bigger and better this year. The show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. The Hunterdon Central Field house is at 84 Route 31, Flemington.

This year’s show will have 60 quality primitive and country dealers showing antiques from every category. Fourteen new vendors will be added this year, in addition to the 46 returning dealers.

Available for purchase will be fine country furniture, folk art, antique quilts, estate jewelry, stoneware, basketry, antique prints, books, tools and glassware.

November 23, 2008

English Mahogany Barley Twist Chest of Drawers Cabinet


This cabinet is a most interesting piece. The intricate carving is impeccable but my favorite is the way that the barley twist is seperate and complete from the chest of drawers itself. All five drawers are dovetail constructed! Absolutely beautiful!!! It is made of solid mahogany and has a warm, hand rubbed fruitwood finish.

The carving on this piece was completely done by hand and must have required a master carpenter. The detail and skill it must have taken is truly incredible. The pictures do not do this piece justice. It is a rare find, so don't miss out!

Measures: 43" T x 37" W x 21" D

November 16, 2008

Ansonia Clock Co


Made by the Ansonia Clock Co. Circa 1904

November 8, 2008

Ellerslie Letter

This is a 4 page handwritten letter (no envelope) that is written by a mother to her daughter in July of 1848. It seems her mother has taken a trip to Ellerslie (at least that is what I think it says) and she describes the place and her incredible time spent there in great detail.


I’ve quoted some parts of the letter to give you a better idea…..

“July 24, 48

My Dear Child,

Here we are at last in one of the loveliest spots I ever beheld; nature has done great things for it and acts if she has not exhausted her resources as the novel writers say, has certainly used them to great advantages and I think were you to spend a week here you would be quite a convert to the idea of a country life. The ladies here seem to think that with a visit to some fashionable watering place in the summer and some weeks spent in the city during the winter, you might find it quite endurable especially with some chosen companion like (male or female) Camellia, to relieve the ______of family society. We are awakened by the sweetest songs of the feathered Hibe, how much more harmonious and soothing than that of bells, are regaled with cream by the gallon and fruit by the bushels. Flowers bloom around us in bewildering confusion. Fruit hanging in such clusters invite the hand to pluck it on all sides. The Delaware peruses its simplified courses between hills where height emulates the distant mountains and the evidence of whose sides is reflected with marvelous distinctness from it’s clear bosom. The village smiles at our feet and to ____all we can have a shower bath every afternoon…….When we meet we can compare notes and see whose place is the most beautiful, Mrs. Jacob’s or Dr. Paul’s. He and your father are gone today to the “Meadows” some twelve miles distance……We are called to pray at 7 in the morning at which all are punctual. Breakfast some after then the family disperses to their several employments then meet in the hall at eleven when Miss Lidney reads til one at which hour we dine after which each attends to her chambers to sleep or not as inclination dictates and then comes the bath then tea then a walk around on the river returning from which we all seat ourselves on one of the delightful piazzas until the evening……If a pair of Mary’s slippers can be found bring them with you. Also a white petticoat that was lying folded up in my room……..Yours truly affectionate mother.”