Mid-19th Century Folk Art

Thirty drawer 19th century apothecary chest in green paint, having seven rows of four drawers above a pair of drawers. The green painted drawers with red painted pulls and framing al...

Walking stick: carved ivory knob depicting the bust of an angel with flowers. Ebony wood barrel. Ivory tip. Dieppe, France circa 1850. (SHIP TO EU ONLY)

Northern Plains war club with stylized stone buffalo head. Raw hide wrapped adorned with brass tacks. Much patina from use, blood, grease and sweat. Mu...

This rare and finely crafted mid-19th century Ojibwe powder horn, dating to around 1865, is an exceptional example of Eastern Woodlands Native American artistry. Originating from the...

Northern Plains spontoon style pipe tomahawk with solid brass head, carved and file burnt and painted original haft. Period: 19th century Origin: Northern Plains Size: Head 11 1/2",...

Rare original chart of Long Island Sound by E + G Blunt of New York, 179 Water St. "Surveyed in the years 1828, 29 & 30" Exceedingly rare and early chart, titled Long Island Sound fr...

Oil painting on canvas with a motif of two children from around the 1860s Dimensions in cm: H:72 W:84 This product will be inspected thoroughly at our professional workshop by ou...

Amazing and scarce JUDAICA object, we have here one of the most touching jewish objects we had for a long time, this small silver dowry box was made in Algeria in the early 19th century, it is all covered with symbols of jewish faith and of couples, the sliding lid has 2 flanking birds with hamsa (protective hand) on each side and a flower vase in the middle. one side shows two flanking lions with a tree in the middle and the other side shows again two big and two small birds with a flower bowl in the middle, front side has a key hole and next to it there is the Hebrew inscription ס״ט״" which says Siman tov or in English "a good sign" it is taken from the wedding blessing, underneath the lock there is another inscription with the name ״עזיזה בת אברהם בן חמו״ which is the name of the bride, her father and her grandfathers name. the box is full marked a lot of times with the silversmith mark, every side of the box is marked. this box was probably ordered by the grooms family to hold the jewelry they are giving to the bride as dowry, this type of objects are rare and there are just a few of them on museum collections. DOWRY (Heb. נְדֻנְיָה), the property a wife brings to her husband at marriage; the Yiddish equivalent, nadn, is from the same root. The custom of nedunyah became clearly defined and institutionalized only in the talmudic period. In biblical times, mohar (מֹהַר), whereby the groom bought his wife from her father (Gen. 24:53; Ex. 22:15–16; Hos. 3:2), was the accepted practice. It was then customary that the groom give the bride gifts, and that she bring certain property to her husband's home upon marriage: slaves, cattle, real estate, etc. (cf. Gen. 24:59–61; 29; Judg. 1:14ff.; I Kings 9:16). Evidence of the custom of nedunyah is to be found in Tobit (7:14; 8:21) and in the Assuan papyri (Cowley, Aramaic, nos. 15, 18). Gradually, mohar was superseded by the ketubbah custom according to which the husband merely assumed the responsibility of compensation to his wife in case he divorced her: he had to pay her 200 zuzim if she had been a virgin at the time of marriage, and 100 zuzim if a widow or divorcée (see *Ketubbah). By talmudic times, the institution of nedunyah was prevalent; the father gave a dowry to the bride since the daughter was excluded from paternal inheritance. Fifty zuzim (equivalent to the worth of 180 grams of silver) was the minimum amount a father was obliged to give to his daughter (Ket. 6:5). Parents usually gave much more, according to their social standing. Community funds provided the dowry for an orphan or a very poor girl (ibid.; cf. Sh. Ar., YD 251:8). In case of her father's death, the brothers of a minor girl were obliged to give her the minimum dowry, and the court estimated how much her father would have given her above the minimum dowry. The sum was then taken out of the father's estate and given to the daughter upon majority (Ket. 6:6; 68a–69b). In the absence of such an estimate, each daughter was entitled to receive one-tenth of the value of her father's estate in money, or in valuables (Yad, Ishut, 20:4–7; Sh. Ar., EH 113:4). If the father was unable or unwilling to pay the promised dowry at the betrothal ceremony, the groom could refuse to marry his bride (Ket. 13:5; Ket. 108b–109a). Insistence on exact payment of the promised dowry, however, was frowned upon by later rabbinic authorities (Rema to Sh. Ar., EH 2:1). In certain communities it was customary for the groom's father to make a dowry contribution equal to that of the bride's father (Ket. 102b). The dowry, whether given in real estate, slaves, money, or chattel was recorded in the marriage contract (the ketubbah) and in some instances one-third or one-fifth of the actual value of the dowry was added to the sum mentioned in the ketubbah. Based upon a decree enacted by *Simeon b. Shetah (first century C.E.), the Talmud ruled that the husband and his entire property were liable for compensation as stipulated in the ketubbah, either in case he died (when she collected the sum specified in the ketubbah from the heirs) or in case he divorced his wife (Ket. 82b). For the status of the dowry and the husband's rights and obligations, see below. The rabbinic enactments (Takkanot Shum) by R. Jacob *Tam and by the rabbinic synod of the communities of Speyer, Worms, and Mainz (Germany) stipulated that if a woman died...

This 19th-century American painted chest of drawers presents a thoughtfully balanced combination of form, surface, and decorative detail. The warm reddish-brown ground is enriched by...

Brass Hanukkah Lamp, Salonika, Greece, 19th century. Openwork backplate with scrolled branches; three stylized flowers support central triangular c...

Early 19th Century Wooden Horse A handsome Dapple Grey galloper with Horse Hair mane and tail, he has a classic open mouthed expression and bright glass e...

A trio of wonderfully penned fish, with detailed annotations housed in period maple frames. French mid to late 19th Century, age related discolouration and abrasions. 41/33/3cm 41...

Molded sheet copper rooster weather vane. Flattened full bodied form with molded body and feather details. Large tail with custom wood stand. 20"H x 19"W Period: 19th century Origin...

This rare and whimsical 19th-century nutcracker from Poland is crafted from solid cast iron and takes the form of a stylized cockatoo. A nut can be placed in the bird’s beak to be cracked, while a second functional element is integrated into the center of the body – making it a playful yet practical object. The detailed shaping of the feathers and the expressive form reflect the fine craftsmanship of the period and lend the piece a sculptural quality that elevates it far beyond a mere kitchen tool. Nutcracker collecting is a rich and varied field within the world of antiques. While the brightly painted wooden figures from the Erzgebirge are widely known, earlier examples were often made of metal and featured imaginative animal or human forms. Iron nutcrackers...

Early to mid-19th-century bronze currency bracelet / Manilla in circle form. Intricate graphical geometrical. This type of bracelet was worn/used by the Zaghawa People also called Bé...

Eastern woodland crooked knife. Solid handle having an exquisite hand chipped carved American Folk Art style geometric design. The blade is hand forged i...

Figurative Apache olla with crosses made inside, vertical triangles that connect in a geometric web. After an olla was filled to the brim with wild grass s...

This is an antique 36-star American flag, as striking as it is scarce. The flag has a glazed cotton construction, with a blue canton printed with 36 white stars. The stars are arrang...

She is depicted holding a tray aloft with her eyes, which she gouged out in order to keep from being married off to a Pagan. Polychromed gesso with gilding. Some small bits of polyc...

Walking stick: carved ivory handle depicting Diana the Huntress with her bow, the dog at her feet, and the hunter Actaeon. Malacca wood shaft. Engraved silver band with the monogram ...

Snipping a profile from paper with scissors, and mounting the result to a contrasting sheet of paper, became a popular diversion among the European and American upper classes in the ...

Folk art hand shirred and hooked rug in wonderful colors on a black mottled background. Wool on linen, American, New England circa 1830's. The colors of the flowers are perfectly bea...

Quilled knife sheath with quilled drops, tin cones with yellow horsehair. With original collection tag. A very rare piece in this condition. Original tag reads "Knife sheath I bought from Mr. Corelson Marsh 1st - 1890 Pd 60 cts. Worth 2.00. Mr. Robb sent Me C. (Post - Trade form Ft Bennet Dakota. A valuable relic + very rare. Worked with colored porcupine quills. E Kaucher." Ex. Stalter Collection. Dr. Kenneth Stalter (1954-2012) grew up in Delaware County where he developed a lifelong interest in Native American tools...

Pair of Italian painted and gilt torchieres with circular egg & dart medallion tops, floral decorative rings, intertwining floral tassels and terminating on acanthus tripod hoof feet...

Hooked and shirred hearth rug, New England, circa 1850s in wool, cotton and linen. This dramatic folk art piece is in excellent condition. Depicting a recu...

Victorian mahogany sign painted chest of drawers, fisher gentleman’s outfitter shop display This is a real Gem, the chest of drawers i...

19th Century Presentation Half Hull Model of a Whale Ship, circa 1850, a large plank on frame model of a bluff-bowed and wide abeam whale ship. The model wa...

The Sailor's Glimpse: Woolwork of a Family Object: Rectangular Woolwork Picture Origin: British (Sailor's Folk Art) Date: Circa 1860 Medium: Wool, Silk Thread on Fabric Ground, Fram...

Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...

The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.

Wood and Horn frame wrapped in rawhide with wooden stirrups. Original harness leather stitching complete with buffalo hide seat pad. Brain tanned bands attac...

Opaque watercolor heightened with gold on paper. A young prince is seated in a palace courtyard under a canopy receiving a party of noblemen. His ministers stand behind him, wearing peaked turbans with floral patterns, their gestures conveying their welcoming demeanor towards the noblemen. The guests are wearing red and blue turbans...

Blackfeet fighting dag native made with blade from a wagon wheel or barrel rim. Blade goes full length of handle and protrudes 8 1/4". Much patina from use. Fastened with nail rivets...

A beautiful rare Large Antique Qing Dynasty Chinese Ethnic Minority silver Coral turquoise necklace from Yunnan. A superb Large complete chain necklace with added Taoist charms with...

This is one of the most highly detailed marble dust or sandpaper drawings I have ever seen. The meticulously executed in details and the subtlety of the buildings in the background i...

This most attractive mid 19th century folk art cased diorama shows a view at sea with a large three mast English ship being chased in a racing situation by a smaller and faster single mast yacht. Both are passing by a lighthouse which is in the foreground. This diorama has been beautifully handmade. The vessel, sails and lighthouse are all hand carved in wood and very nicely painted in bright colours as is the setting of the choppy sea which has most likely been formed in papier mâché. The most appealing element of this piece is its small compact size which easily lends itself for display on a shelf, table or perhaps wall mounted. The case is made from nailed pine boards which have been papered and painted black and finished with a glazed front set into putty. The glass is original and period with lovely handmade imperfections. This decorative diorama is in excellent original condition. English, circa 1860 Height 16cm x width 52.5cm x depth 8.5cm max. Thank you for looking at this rare and interesting 19th century diorama...

Impressive and rare example of a model English merchant sailing vessel, circa 1860, that plied the China Trade from England to Hong Kong. The ship has the sail rig of the Sandy Hook pilot boats...

19th Century or Earlier Ritual Buddhist Mask, Japan Ex Collection of Charles Smith, University of Washington A masterly carved ritual mask used in Shinto Festival ceremonies, most ...

Captain's gig sternboard hardwood with rope carved border and brass lettering "Terpsichore Sandefjord" Norway. Great old sternboard from the Captain's gig from the Terpsichore. Circa...

Eastern ball headed war club of native walnut with carved face having square nailed spike set in lead. Ex. Norm Johnson Estate. Period: Mid-19th ce...

Solid brass highly polished and lacquered ships anchor lantern with Fresnel glass lens. Mounted to a wood base with rich dark finish. With brass makers pla...

Southern Plains decorated pony bow. Buffalo hide, beads and red ochre. Original string of twisted horse hair. Period: Mid-19th century Origin: Southe...

Antique 1850 Mexican colonial style oil on copper religious painting.

Walking stick: carved ivory handle depicting a satyr with pointed ears and goat hair, wearing a hat, with his hands behind his neck. Ebony cane. Silver band and metal ferrule. Dieppe...

Extraordinary 19th Century Swedish Bonad. The Nativity, The imagery capturing the Baby in a Manger in the stable, being overlooked by donkeys and angels. Primitive and exuberant colo...

Exceptional molded copper weathervane depicting a full-bodied running horse, attributed to A.L. Jewell of Waltham, Massachusetts, one of the earliest and most respected American weat...

19th century Mini eagle weather vane on stand with a great patina. This fine eaglet is in very good condition. The bottom feathers of the arrow are...

This is an Eastern Anatolian Antique Kilim from the Reyhanli region with a rare and beautiful color composition. Due to its outstanding quality, the old Reyhanlı kilim is highly acc...

Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel circa 1864. Beautiful piece of traditional Swedish history.  Being a small model with a foot peddle this machine was likely to used to sp...

A rare and superb pair of rat de cave candleholders, hand-forged in wrought iron with wooden elements, Normandy, France, 18th century. Crafted by hand, featuring the traditional spir...

This fantastic hand blown storage jar is in fine condition and has a curled under lip. Lots of bubbles and pontil on base.

Large early American Antique Copper Bannerette Weather Vane Possibly J. Howard & Co. First-half of the 19th century; Northeastern, USA Copper, iron Approximate size: 24 (h) x 55 (w) x 1 (d) in. This rare and large American scrollwork bannerette weathervane recalls those produced by Jonathan Howard & Co. of West Bridgewater, MA. Further academic research may confirm or deny this possibility and an origin with J.W. Fiske & Co. of New York, shouldn’t be ruled out. Alternatively, this weathervane may also be an entirely independent work from the first half of the 19th century, steeped in the early genesis of weathervanes as an American folk art. This antique weather vane...

Very Early Nantucket lightship basket, circa 1860, an oval open basket with wide splint staves, split wood rim, cane weave, solid birch bottom plate, and sha...

Fabulous grain painted solid wood paneled door. Painted in the Trompe loi style to imitate rosewood or another exotic wood. Door is grain painted on one side only. Other side is ol...

A rare cast iron apothecary cap holder, traditionally used to reduce the size of caps for medicine bottles. Decorated with floral motifs and a serpent, the emblem of Asclepius, the g...

An Icon of Steam and Sail: Sailor J.H. Miller's Woolwork of HMS Brunswick Circa 1860 This monumental and intricately crafted woolwork, a testament to the folk art tradition of 19th-...

A magnificent framed early 19th century Swedish folk art painting. This type of Swedish folk painting is known as a kurbitz, and this example is known to be from the north of Sweden and is dated 1832. The scene depicts the biblical story of the woman at the well...

Northeast carved effigy cane with otter head. Patina plus. Ex John Behnken. Period: Mid-19th century or earlier Origin: Northeast US Size: 35" H. Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s...

Very rare "Punch" figural item of the infamous "Punch and Judy" duo created in Italy but made more famous and popularized in British Victorian 19th century culture, "puppetry" appeal...

Folk art walking stick: single naturally growing boxwood branch with various angles, punctuated by a series of carvings with different subjects. The all-round handle depicts a fight ...