Our Collection


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PA Paint Decorated Chairs

A nice clean set of six half-spindle Pennsylvania paint decorated chairs with grape and foliage decoration on a light green ground. The chairs are in excellent condition with very minimal wear and good crisp colors. They were found in Harleysville, PA where they resided in a temperature controlled garage for the last thirty years.

Remmey Stoneware Pitcher

One gallon stoneware water pitcher attributed to the Richard C. Remmey factory of Philadelphia, PA. Excellent contrast between the crisp dark blue slip and the light gray clay. There has been a professional repair to a 3/4" chip on the base rim. Otherwise, the condition is exceptional. Circa 1880. Height - 10".

Remmey Stoneware Pitcher

Imposing two gallon stoneware pitcher attributed the Richard C. Remmey factory of Philadelphia. Excellent contrast between the blue cobalt floral swag decoration and the grey salt-glazed clay. Height - 13".

Mohr Trade Sign

Early twentieth century Mohr Galleries trade sign in original black painted frame. This reverse painting on glass is in excellent condition with crisp colors. It was found on southern New Jersey. Size - 17" x 9".

Odd Fellows Lodge Pedestal

Odd Fellows lodge pedestal with original dry, polychrome painted surface including it's faux marble top. Painting of heart-in hand, serpent and banded canes done by a highly accomplished hand. Circa 1850. A wonderful piece of folk art for displaying a weathervane or another folk art item. Height - 31", Top - 16" square.

Carved Wooden Owl

Carved wooden owl with original polychrome painted surface. It is made of pine and dates to the turn of the century. Height - 13 1/2".

Large Theorem

Large and impressive early twentieth century theorem in a period lemon gold frame. Oil on velvet with bold, crisp colors. Signed U R Sherwood. Width - 29", Height 22" (sight).

David Ellinger Watercolor

Large David Ellinger (American 1913-2003) horse and rider watercolor on laid paper in original paint decorated frame. Signed next to the rider's leg and with wonderful note in verso which reads "For Doug. Hope you enjoy my painting of the horse. I have one for myself which I painted after this one. You have No 1. Best Wishes - David". There is also a signature David Ellinger stylized heart and tulip under the note. We have never seen a similar example of Ellinger's work and he may have only ever made the two to which he refers in his note. Frame - 17" x 20". Sight - 13" x 16".

Mochaware Pitcher

English pearlware mocha pitcher with double earthworm decoration on taupe and blue grounds. The piece exhibits a press molded spout and an applied handle with leaf terminals. Excellent overall condition. Circa 1840. Height - 6".

Medinger Redware Batter Cup

Redware batter or mush cup attributed to Jacob Medinger of Neiffer, Limerick Township, Montgomery County, PA. The Medinger pottery was founded by Jacob's father William in 1872 and remained operational until Jacob's unfortunate kiln related death in 1932. Excellent condition with only two minor fleabites on the rim. Height - 4", Width 7" (from handle to tip of spout).

Yellowware Mocha Cup

Small yellowware mocha cup with a flared or tiered footed base, applied handle and the best brown banding and dark blue decoration. This piece is very clean and is in excellent condition. Height 5 1/4".

PA Redware Plate

Very good Pennsylvania redware plate with a desirable coggled rim and pleasing slip decoration. This plate displays very well and would be a nice addition to any redware collection. Diameter - 9".

Primitive Village Painting

Small primitive oil on board of a village scene with a church, houses and lake. Original gilt frame. Minor loss to upper left hand corner of the frame. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" (sight).

Delaware River Scaup Decoy

Delaware River Scaup or Bluebill drake in original working paint and in very good condition. As indicated on the bottom, this decoy originated in Bordentown, NJ and was from a rig owned by B. Colby. Note the position of the weight in the rear of the bird which allowed it to sit up in swift river current. Circa 1940. Length - 14".

John Holloway Bird Tree

Rare and wonderful carved and polychrome painted bird tree made by John Holloway of Parkertown, New Jersey. John is a noted and award winning decoy carver who is highlighted in Loy Harrell Jr's book "Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers". The tree is signed on the bottom with John's signature initial JRH. The branches are sassafras and the chip carved base is made of pine. This is one of John's highly sought after early trees that exhibits his folky birds in the PA German style mixed in with native birds. John's bird tree output is very limited and as a result, they are very difficult to acquire. Height - 27". Photo 605-12 primary, photos 605-18 and 14 secondary.

Fish Weathervane

Hollow full body fish weathervane with original weathered surface on a contemporary custom metal stand. Length - 30".

Carved Wooden Owl

Very folky American carved owl on a plinth with original weathered surface. The face is absolutely wonderful. It is made of pine and there is no evidence it was ever painted. Height - 13".

Price: $575

Architectural Shutters

Good pair of 19th century architectural shutters with desirable form and the best dry blue-green painted surface. Excellent overall condition. Heigh - 61", Width - 17".

Paint Decorated Cup

Wonderful small softwood saffron cup with the best vinegar grain painted surface. Excellent lathe turnings and patina on the unpainted bottom. This piece would be a nice addition to any treen collection. Height - 2 1/2".

Frank Finney Tiger

Wonderful and rare carved recumbent tiger by Capeville, VA folk artist Frank Finney. Mr. Finney has long been recognized as a master carver and is renowned for his decoy carving/restoration work and his whimsical folk art creations. His works have sold at major North American auction houses like Christies and Sotheby's. This piece dates to the early 1980's and is signed on the bottom with his signature rubber stamp he used during that period. This piece would be a terrific addition to any Frank Finney folk art collection. Length - 10", Height 4".

Black Man Hitching Post Finial

Rare and unusual cast iron hitching post finial of a black man's head. I am confident it is American but I have never seen a similar example. This fabulous piece of folk art came from a Saratoga, New York collection where it has resided for the last thirty years. It stands 12" tall and the head is 6" wide. It weighs 26 pounds.

Prancing Horse Hooked Rug

Wonderful and very folky hooked rug with a central prancing horse and a geometric border. This wool on burlap rug is in excellent condition with only a minor, unnoticeable repair to a three inch section of the border. The color combinations are very appealing visually. Professionally mounted by Kathy Wilson. Dimensions - 44" x 27".

A Paint Decorated Document Box

Lancaster or Berks County, PA small document box with a vibrant sponge decorated painted surface. Dovetailed and square nail construction. Width - 12", Depth - 6', Height - 6".

Mochaware Pitcher

Medium size mochaware pitcher with pleasing colors of coffee, sage green and brown. The piece is of English origin and dates to the early 19th century. There is one small 1/4 " chip on the handle and as expected very minor roughness on the rim from use. Height - 5", Width - 6".

Medinger Redware Vase

Redware vase made by Jacob Medinger (1856-1932) of Neiffer, Limerick Township, Montgomery County, PA. The Medinger pottery was founded by Jacob's father William in 1872 and remained functional until Jacob's kiln related accidental death in 1932. Excellent condition. Height - 13".

John Holloway Bird Tree

Wonderful carved and polychrome painted bird tree made by John Holloway of Parkertown, NJ. John is a noted and award winning decoy carver who is highlighted in Loy Harrell Jr's book "Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers". He started making bird trees in the style of Simmons about ten years ago after meeting renowned Pennsylvania antique and folk art dealer Richard C. Machmer. Machmer showed John actual Simmons bird trees from his collection and explained how to achieve the desired surface on the birds. The ball portion of the base is chip carved surface and the branches are made of sassafras. The base is signed with his signature initials - JRH. John's bird tree output has been very limited and as a result, his trees are difficult to acquire. Height - 26".

Chalkware Rabbit

Mid nineteenth century hollow body chalkware rabbit with original paint decorated surface. Excellent overall condition. Height - 5 1/2", Length - 4 1/2".

PA Stoneware Creampot

Rare late 19th century one gallon stoneware creampot made as an advertising or trade item for Henry W Reiff of Lederachsville, Montgomery County, PA. The village of Lederachsville is now called Lederach. Excellent condition. Height - 7".

PA Coverlet

Unsigned three color PA coverlet with peafowl and flower decoration. This textile is in excellent original condition with no repairs and all it's fringe intact. Size - 80" x 100".

Red Wall Basket

Late nineteenth century half-buttocks form wall basket in original lipstick red painted surface. This basket is in excellent condition with no losses to the paint or splint weaving. There is expected minor wear to the handle. Wonderful size, form and color. Height - 10", Width - 10", Depth - 5".

Chalkware Garniture

Excellent chalkware garniture with original polychrome painted surface. Professional repair to a small crack on the backside of the piece. Circa 1890. Height - 11".

Frank Finney Carved Dog Head

Very folky dog head carved by renown folk artist and master carver Frank Finney of Capeville, VA. The piece is signed on the bottom with Finney's signature double scroll F's and dates to the early 1990's. Height - 7".

Stahl Redware Cat

Redware cat with wonderful blue and gray glaze made by the Stahl Pottery in Powder Valley, PA. It is signed on the bottom "Made by R. R. Stahl 12/19/47". Height - 4".

Pennsylvania 19th Century Amish Fish Weathervane

Found in Center County.
With original dry gray painted surface.
Minor loss to the tail.
Length 21", Height 6"

G. B. French Scherenschnitte

Very good Garnett B. French patriotic scherenschnitte (scissors cut) of an eagle with shield. Very punchy with the small hearts in the corners, the five pointed stars and the two clusters of tulips in the eagle's talons. Signed in the lower right hand corner. French was a contemporary of David Ellinger. 13 1/2" x 14" (outside frame dimensions).

Pennsylvania Dry Sink

Circa 1860 Pennsylvania pine dry sink with old red painted surface. The piece exhibits nice proportion with two drawers over two doors and a dovetailed well. The case is square nail construction. Width - 43 1/2", Height - 38 1/2", Depth - 21"

Sheldon Parsons NY Oil Painting

Wonderful small winter scene oil on board by Sheldon Parsons (1866-1943) of Rochester, NY. Parsons studied at the National Academy of Design with William Merritt Chase and Edgar Ward. Prior to moving West in 1913 to join the Taos & Santa Fe artist colony, Parsons was a very successful portrait painter in New York City. He also was known for his landscape paintings of rural West Chester County. This is an excellent example of his impressionistic style. Signed S. Parsons in the lower right hand corner. Untouched original condition. 9 1/2" x 5 1/2" (sight).

Rural Landscape Oil Painting

Ashland, PA oil on artist board by D. F. Laudenstein (American, 1856-1927). Folky rural landscape depicting a yellow farmhouse and white barn surrounded by pastures and rolling hills with cows and fencing. Signed on the reverse "Painted by D.F. Laudenstein Ashland, PA July 6, 1900. 18" x 12" in original gold leaf frame.

David Ellinger Theorem

Well executed David Ellinger theorem with a bird on a branch holding a cherry in it's beak. The piece exhibits a number of PA German motifs to include stylized flowers, a heart and a tulip; all in crisp polychrome colors. In it's original paint decorated frame, this is a wonderful example of Ellinger's work. Size - 9 1/2" x 8 1/2" sight.

Yellowware Child's Mug

Yellowware child's mug with brown mocha banding. Excellent condition with no chips or hairlines. Height - 4".

New Geneva PA Tanware Pitcher

Beautiful slip decorated New Geneva, PA tanware milk pitcher. There are no condition issues with this wonderful example other than two 1/4" minor rough areas on the left side of the rim. The brown slip decoration is wonderful with four fuscias, trailing vines and folky stripes on the handle. This is the only New Geneva tanware piece I have ever seen with four fuscias in the decoration. Circa 1890. Height - 8". Photo 436.

John Holloway Owl Tree

Rare and fabulous owl tree hand carved and painted by John Holloway (born 1933) of Parkertown, NJ. John is a well known decoy carver who has won many awards and is highlighted in Loy S. Harrell's book "Sixty Living and Outstanding North American Carvers". John became interested in making bird trees after seeing examples of 19th century Simmons bird trees in Richard Machmer's book "Just For Nice". John's output of bird trees, and especially owl trees, is very limited and they are extremely hard to find. If you are familiar with bird trees made by other contemporary carvers like Noyes and Strawser, hopefully you will agree John's artistry is exceptional in comparison. Signed JRH on the bottom of the chip-carved base. Height - 21".

Early 20th Century Hooked Rug

Large vibrant wool hooked rug with concentric tulips surrounded by a variegated border. The colors of burgundy, violet, eggplant, green, caramel, red, orange and light blue are very crisp. Circa 1910. Professionally stretched and mounted to hang vertically or horizontally.
Width - 47", Height - 27".

Sea Scouts Nautical Folk Art Shadow Box

Fantastic nautical folk art shadow box with two hundred plus naval knots. The exact origin of the piece is unknown but it was probably made as a Sea Scout project in the 1930's or thereabout. I have seen similar examples on a board but I have never seen one with as many knots as with this example, nor have I seen one displayed in a shadow box. This is piece is large at 49" wide x 33" tall x 3" deep and would make a great centerpiece for any nautical collection. This is a really good example of early twentieth century Sea Scout nautical folk art.

New Jersey Blackduck

Blackduck hen made by Eugene Hendrickson (1896-1971) of Northfield, NJ. This decoy retains it's original scratch coat paint with remnants of cork flocking over-paint. The scratch paint, inletted weight, blocky tail and tack eyes are signature Hendrickson features. Circa 1920-30. Length - 16".

Yellow Ware Mocha Seaweed Cup

Small yellow ware mocha cup with two bands of brown slip excellent blue seaweed decoration on both sides on a white ground. Applied reeded handle. Excellent condition. Height - 2", Length spout to handle - 3".

Lawn Ornament

Mid twentieth century cement lawn ornament of a black boy with a watermelon. As expected weathered surface. Height - 12".

David Ellinger Theorem

Wonderful signed oil on velvet theorem by David Y. Ellinger (1913-2003). Ellinger is a well-known Pennsylvania folk artist who was inspired by the PA German style as evidenced by his frakturs, theorems and paintings that remain highly sought after. This punchy work in it's original paint decorated frame dates to the early 1970's and is fresh from a Philadelphia estate. The presentation of this theorem is very pleasing with a crisp red compote with yellow hearts, a yellow bird with the berry in it's mouth, and stylized flowers to include tulips. Dimensions - 12 1/2" x 13 1/2" sight.

Fantastic Large Carved Santa

While I am not sure about the origin of this Santa it is certainly impressive. It stands 42" tall, is made of what appears to be pine and has an excellent weathered surface. It may have been used as a mold to make paper-mache Santas for store displays. There are repairs to the ends of both feet but otherwise it is in great condition for its age.

Hudson River School Painting

Fabulous large Hudson River School oil on canvas with herdsman and cattle in the foreground, buildings that exhibit the Dutch influence and a cascading waterfall. This well executed piece has a wonderful presence as it draws you in to the mountains and sky in the distance. De-accessioned from the Strong Museum in Rochester, NY. Unsigned in original period frame. Circa 1880. Size - 40 1/2 x 32 1/2 sight.

George Washington Portrait

Well executed late nineteenth century portrait of George Washington. Unsigned pastel on academy board in the manner of Gilbert Stuart. Dimensions - 13 1/2" x 16 1/2" sight.

Chalkware Squirrel

Mid-nineteenth century hollow-body chalkware squirrel with original painted surface. There is as expected minor wear to the paint in several places. Height 6 1/4".

Game Wheel

Early to mid 20th century game wheel with it's original polychrome painted surface and all it's original pins. This piece has terrific colors and displays well because of it's small size. Diameter - 21".

Toleware Apple Tray

Early to mid nineteenth century toleware apple tray in original untouched condition. This piece is freehand decorated in red, green, white and mustard on a black ground. The form with the flared sides is highly desirable by those who collect American decorated toleware. Length - 14", Width - 7 1/2", Height - 2 1/2".

Stansbury Norse O/B Painting

Wonderful small oil on board by Stansbury Norse, American (1843-1911). Mr. Norse was the head of the art department at Potsdam, NY High School for over twenty five years and was on the executive board of the NY Art Dealers Association. The painting is signed by Norse on the reverse side and dated 1876. The winter twilight scene with a church with it's lights on, a boy and his sled approaching a church, two figures outside the church and an absolutely inviting late day winter sky, provide a very capturing presentation on this work. When I first saw the painting it reminded me of the hand of renown New Hope artist George Sotter who is quite famous for his twilight and nighttime scenes. The painting is in a later, period paint-decorated frame. Size - 8" x 10" sight.

G. B. French Scherenschnitte

Wonderful 20th century signed scherenschnitte by Garnett B. French with punchy blue flower pots and hearts. This piece was probably made by French in the 1980's and is an exact copy of one created by David Ellinger in the early 1960's. It is highly likely French did not duplicate this work. Original paint decorated frame. Size - 16 1/2" sight.

Spice Box

Eight drawer maple spice box found in Maine but probably of New Hampshire origin. Dovetailed case, hand-planed back boards and square nail drawer construction with original brass pulls. Old red painted surface. The piece has been professionally cleaned (layer of green paint) to reveal the wonderful dry red surface. The chest can be hung or stand freely on a counter top. Circa 1850. Height - 21 1/2", Width - 15 1/2", Depth - 6 1/2".

Windmill Whirligig

Early twentieth century whirligig with double windmills and a large directional arrow. This wonderful piece of folk art retains it's original blue and yellow painted surface. Length - 43", Height - 40".

Walnut Pie Safe

Walnut pie safe probably of Virginia origin. Mortised and pinned construction with high turned feet and a nicely shaped gallery. Old refinish with a white and then green paint history. Circa 1850. Height 61", Width - 40 1/2", Depth - 19".

Running Horse Weathervane

Late nineteenth century copper running horse weathervane with a zinc head and the best untouched verdigris surface. Length - 39", Height - 23".

Chalkware Squirrel

Chalkware squirrel holding a nut with it's original red, yellow and black painted surface. Excellent overall condition with only very minor wear. Circa 1890. Height - 6".

Seagreaves Redware Bird

Redware bird on a pedestal made by James C. Seagreaves (1913-1997) of Breiningsville, Lehigh County, PA. Seagreaves is well known for his wonderful and unique interpretation of Pennsylvania German symbols that he skillfully incorporated into his whimsical forms. The piece is signed JCS. Height - 7".

Shenfelder Cake Crock

Stoneware cake crock made by Daniel P. Shenfelder of Reading, PA with the signature Shenfelder drooping bell flower and vine cobalt decoration. The makers stamp and 1 1/2 gallon size stamp are excellent. There is a very tight three inch spider on the base that does not come up the side. Height - 7 3/4", Width - 10". Circa 1880.

Large Ash Burl Bowl

Fabulous ash burl bowl with exceptional form, surface and patination. The bowl is of American origin, dates to the early 19th century and is in excellent overall condition. Note the wonderful footed base and molded rim. This terrific piece of Americana would be a great addition to any burl collection. Width - 15 1/4", Height - 6 3/4".

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