Colorful Pennsylvania German Folk Art at Winterthur

Exhibit at Winterthur: March 1, 2015–January 3, 2016

A Colorful Folk: Pennsylvania Germans & the Art of Everyday Life

Winter Antiques Show in NYC. Will you be going?

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POTTER, Beatrix. The Tailor of Gloucester. Privately printed in London for the author, December, 1902. Original pictorial pink boards. Housed in a custom chemise and half morocco slipcase. Offered at $32,000. Read more.

Click here for the list of exhibitors.

Amazing Folk Art

Too wonderful for words. via

Folk Art Bust of George Washington

I love stories like this.

Early folk art carved bust of George Washington. Found as a finial on the top of a staircase in an old farmhouse in Sneedville, Tennessee. via

Decoupage Plates

I love this fantastic decoupage plate by John Derian Company.

I have only one piece and it's signed on the back. There is some paint loss under the backing so it must have been a reject. I got it at a garage sale for 25 cents years ago. I don't know about you, but when I buy something I love at a local house sale, I can usually remember exactly where I bought it, what kind of day it was, the seller, and all sorts of other details. I bought this plate on a beautiful summer day and my mother was with me. The sale was in the driveway and garage of a lovely home. Friends and relatives of the owners brought their goods too, so there was a big variety of good stuff and junk. I hope they have another one this year!

Karin Blake: Her Malibu California Home is On The Market

Interior designer Karin Blake's Malibu, CA residence is for sale. Her two bedroom / two bath cottage with a pool is located across the street from the ocean. $3,795,000.

All images from Architectural Digest.

The Cat Did It

“Mischief – Cat and Workbox”
Newbold H. Trotter (1827-1898)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated 1858
SOLD -- before the ink bottle was overturned.

Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe's House

Shoe House, Mpumalanga, South Africa via

Antique Fraktur Valentine circa 1800

Valentine
Courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia
Love Letter (Liebesbrief)
Decorator: Anonymous
Scrivener: Anonymous
Creation Place:
State/Province: [Pennsylvania]
Note: Based on design characteristics
Creation Date: ca. 1800

Hand-drawn; hand-colored; hand-lettered. This document is a square sheet of paper that is folded into a star. The text and drawings are on both sides of the sheet. The areas that are visible on the folded paper are decorated with text, hearts, flowers and a small cross. One of the hearts is pierced by an arrow. The measurements refer to the unfolded paper.

Transcription:
1 \ My Dearest Dear and blest divine \
I’ve pictured here your heart and mine.
2 \ But Cupid with her Cruel dart \
Has deeply pierced my tender heart
3 \ And has between us set Across \
Which makes me to lament my loss
4 \ But I’m in hopes when that is gone \
That both our hearts will be in one

Hooked Rug with Not Quite White Owls

Not Quite White

21" x 27"

#8 and #6 cut wool on linen 

Designed and hooked by 

Karen Larsen

Crows’s Foot Farm Designs 

Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania 

2012

I recently reconnected with an old friend from this area who now lives in Pennsylvania. She has been hooking since 2006 and one of her original rug designs is on the November/December 2012 cover of Rug Hooking Magazine. 

Read about why these owls are "Not Quite White" in a portion of the article Creating White from Colors. I think she did a wonderful job, don't you? Her home was just photographed for an upcoming feature in Rug Beat. The owl rug looks beautiful on her dining room wall.

Image: IMPACT XPOZURES

Unique Kitchen

I like this kitchen because it looks real. The only thing I would do is try to clean all the old dried up paint stains from the sink. Love the folk art accents. via

Shorebird Weathervane circa 1880

I love the cutout heart within the banner. The shorebird motif is rare and the patina on this piece is wonderful. via

Make-Do Repair

I guess this hand-made grain scoop started to develop a grain split. This lovely repair adds such character to the piece, doesn't it? Now it's a work of art and many people collect items that have been lovingly and artistically repaired. via

Painted Screen As Wall Mural

I photographed this large folk art painted screen recently at an open house. It was the focal point of the entrance hall. The house was beautiful and the furnishings were lovely. It sold right away and the new owners have already moved in. 

Deer Boy by James Edward Deeds Jr.

James Edward Deeds, Jr. 1908-1987 -- Extraordinary American Outsider Artist. Read more about him here and don't fail to watch the video.

Garden Art: Old Figural Lawn Sprinklers

The Monkey sprinkler brought $9,000 at a recent auction. All photos provided by John and Nancy Smith.

The Mermaid is a sprinkler with style and grace.

Bradley and Hubbard, one of the premier metal casting companies, produced this Mallard sprinkler.

Bradley and Hubbard produced this sitting frog sprinkler.

This Wood Duck sprinkler was produced by Nuydea.

This Frog on Globe sprinkler was also produced by Nuydea.

Read full article here.

All of the above photos ©John and Nancy Smith

Do you have any of these stashed away in the garage, garden/tool shed or at a relative's house? Why not look and see what you can find. I think they are wonderful. Are you a Garden Art Collector?

Cat and Owl Calligraphy - So Beautiful

Click photo to enlarge and you will see that there is a mouse in the owl's beak. I dearly love this folky antique drawing snd handwriting exercise. The fragile calligraphy drawing was produced by the schoolteacher, Jacob Labotz, as part of a series of sketches with poems that he gave to students sometime in the 18th century. via BibliOdyssey
The Dutch text reads: 
"De kat spreekt tegen den Uijl 
Uijl gij doet mijn onregt 
de muis is mijn toegelegt 
Den uijl spreekt tegen de kat 
Kat gij moet weten 
het ongegoste broot word't meest gegeten"
I think there is some sort of dialogue going on about who deserves the mouse.

Spectacular Bedrooms from Architectural Digest

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which one is your favorite? There is something special to love about each one. 

Shell Art Heart

There is still time to make a more permanent version for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day if you are a shell collector. No sweetheart? Make one for yourself. This was a popular motif in sailor art valentines that are sought after folk art antiques now. via

Rare Horn Bottle Opener -- Reindeer Form

This cool bar tool with an antler handle resides on my kitchen counter and I can't remember the last time I needed his assistance in opening a bottle. I've never seen another so I think this form must be rare. Purchased years ago from the owner of  an old log cabin. Finding unusual things is such a thrill, isn't it?