An American pilgrim chest is up for grabs next month, a blanket chest attributed to Peter Blin (1640-1725) Wethersfield Connecticut. The "Sunflower" school of joinery flourished in central Connecticut during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries and over eighty five examples are known today bearing the signature floral carving (once thought to be sunflowers, but now described as marigolds or stylized rosettes) as seen on this chest's central panel. Sale estimate 30k-50k at Nadeau's, Oct. 21 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/56234741_sunflower-chest-having-lift-top-over-sunflower-carved
Thank you for showing this! James, have I mentioned how pleased I am that you joined us? I'll have to compose an "Ode in Oak" to show my appreciation for the new directions you bring me into..........
I agree, always look forward to his posts. And James, I love that you show us those genuine, honest, antique pieces, an antidote after seeing so much recently made 'antique furniture'. I need that.
Thanks! Yeah, i hear you! Thing is, there is an ocean of good quality real antique furniture available today selling for a song but for many, for one reason or another that's not good enough, they either don't want it at all or they think you can buy a period piece for 10 bucks.
LOL, OK! oak is some weird stuff no doubt, particularly riven oak. Joiners worked it "green" or "wet" which to a cabinetmaker is HERESY! cabinetmakers work their wood dry at 10-15% moisture content to keep it from cupping, shrinking, cracking, checking, bla bla bla. But, joined wet riven oak doesn't shrink, crack, cup, check or any of those things, it just sits there like a fortress for centuries with it's only enemies, fire or bugs, WEIRD STUFF!
It's worth noting that american riven oak chests are relative newcomers to the scene, children you might say. There are extant oak chests all over europe that are much older, some of them are going on 1000 years old. Here are a couple medieval chests that are still with us below, Pinterest has a page with many more. https://www.pinterest.com/corgizoogirl/medieval-furniture-chests/?lp=true
Thanks for the heads up. I went to a workshop in Wethersfield last week to learn about construction of American furniture, 1600-1900's. Good experience.
Yes to Connecticut. Actually got married at an historical barn -Webb-Stevens - in Wethersfield umpty-ump years ago. I can operate an electric stapler, but that is the extent of my carpentry skills. I simply like things that have already lived part of their life. And having retired this past year, I finally have the time to indulge in learning. Told myself I'd start a small e-bay type of business, but so far haven't.
OK KIDZ, TODAY is the day this chest goes on the block. I'll guess 225k including all fees, estimate is 30-50k. What's your guess?
SHEEEEZE...........THAT'S about $25.00 out of my price range.....sorry!!! BUT......it IS beautiful!!!!
LOL, Yeah. It's tough to tell what the deal is on this chest, one went at Christies in 2011 for 482k, http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...ted-oak-carved-sunflower-5401640-details.aspx Another at Schenke in 2017 went for $9500 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/52441137_important-ct-pilgrim-century-sunflower-chest
Provenance & condition play a major role here as does an in person exam, none of which we are privy too.
