Featured Americana 2018

Skinner had their spring sale last month and it offered a broad scope of American objects, everything from furniture, folk art, jugs, weathervanes, toys, etc. I was struck by this mid 18th century queen anne highboy, it sold in 2000 for 31k, now it brought only $12,685. a 60% price cut from 18 years ago. In the brown furniture world only Shaker seems to be ignoring the current buyers market on prices as it remains very strong. A sewing desk with an 6-8k estimate sold for 67k.
Good cross section of objects at the link
https://www.maineantiquedigest.com/stories/americana/6866

 

In the words of the Prophet, "ouch". That's a 70% or worse drop in value in real dollars.

 

Agrees, VERY good buys for some very nice examples of early american furniture! SHAKER EXCEPTED! it just keeps rolling along, what price depression?
Great! for collectors, not real grand if a dealer or seller.

 

Very interesting. Thanks for posting!

 

KAAAAAAAA-THUNK! Beautiful piece, but the price really hurts.....

 

That shaker style thing seems just boring and plain to me, but the tall boy is nice.

 

Well yeah, Plain being the key word there. There is an understated elegance to Shaker, they took functionality & plain to a new art form although they did not mean too. Combine that with absolutely flawless woodworking skills and the fact that Shaker is the only known 100% pure! no fooling around! european designs, butt out please! American designed furniture and, i can see it's appeal.
I only have 1 piece of Shaker, an 1830 Canterbury NH cane seat tilter, strong as iron, light as a feather, gorgeous in it's own way but, not exactly comfy to sit in.

1830 Cane Seat Tilter

 

Hi James,
Gorgeous chair but they look wonderful hanging on the wall. I agree not very comfortable but it was used for a purpose not for hanging out.
greg

 

True that! I have always lusted for a Shaker Enfield NH work stand, when i first became aware of them they were selling in the 30-40k range. One that was up for sale last year sold for $52,275. USD for a WORK STAND! JESUS!

 

It's nice, but not $50,000 nice, except to the seller of course!

 

Yeah, I hear you, i was saying the same thing when they were $30,000. lol
Those Enfield stands are an iconic Shaker form, the proportions are perfect in every way. You can buy repro's from the Shaker Workshop but, it's just not the same.