By Anne Gilbert Change was blowing in the wind after World War II. Everything was new thanks to scientists, designers and a generation yearning for something different. Today the results are known as Mid-Century Modernism. Mid-Century Modernism took many forms. You may be surprised to know that your baby’s first toy, or your grandchild’s, that […]
Category Archives: Features
25
Oct
Oct
By Sarah P. Turnbaugh Photos by William A. Turnbaugh As crisp cooler days and long evenings usher in autumn, our thoughts turn to cold-weather activities, collectibles, and art. Stone sculptures of marine mammals or birds, parka-clad hunters, or similar carvings, occasionally show up in flea markets or group shops with no information attached. In addition […]
20
Oct
Oct
By Erica Lome Basket making is one of the earliest and most prevalent forms of folk art in the United States. First developed by Native Americans and later adopted by early colonists and settlers, baskets have a long history as both utilitarian objects and highly decorative art forms made for both domestic and commercial purposes. […]
13
Oct
Oct
by David Moore of Waterman Antiques Everyone I talk with has their own interpretation as to what great Folk Art is. Wikipedia states “In contrast to fine art, folk art is primarily utilitarian and decorative rather than purely aesthetic.” Collectors tend to divide Folk Art into categories such as; American, Outsider, Utilitarian, Eclectic, Pioneer, Advertising, […]
06
Oct
Oct
By Susan Baerwald In the history of early American culture, there is little specific mention of African American Art. We are aware of some of the early quilts by Harriet Powers, some walking sticks carved by anonymous African American artists, and dolls made by women in their own images for their children to play with. […]
26
Sep
Sep
Every profession has its tools, which evolve and refine to keep pace with technology and the changing needs of the trade. Here are examples of four different vocations and the museums that showcase the collections that tell their story. Medical Tools: The Mütter Museum The Mütter Museum in downtown Philadelphia, PA is America’s finest museum […]
18
Sep
Sep
by Patrick Leach Renowned Connoisseur of Antique Tools, Owner of Supertool.com featuring “Patrick’s Blood and Gore,” and Purveyor of Fine Used Tools It’s easy to collect tools. They are all over the place. They had to be for America to be settled, farmed, and industrialized to a scale never before seen. Odds are your father […]
16
Sep
Sep
A Celebration of Early American Iron by Erik Goldstein, Curator of Mechanical Arts and Numismatics, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation The upcoming exhibition From Forge and Furnace: A Celebration of Early American Iron opens November 24, 2016 at the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, one of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. This hard, often black […]
06
Sep
Sep
Tools and American Life in the Pilgrim Era By Erica Lome Almost four hundred years ago, Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. This story is often told in classrooms, museums, and tours — and for good reason. Much of the American narrative is founded on the activities and actions of this rag-tag group of settlers who […]
23
Aug
Aug
By Don Weberg While motoring enthusiasts normally collect cars, motorcycles and trucks as the obvious items of choice, they also frequently accumulate collections of associated paraphernalia known to Mecum Auctions as Road Artô. Known also as Automobilia or Petroliana, Road Art includes a number of items related to motor vehicles such as signs, streetlights, cans, […]