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Publisher’s Corner

The Person Behind The Object journalofantiques.com

Publisher
Maxine Carter-Lome
t the heart of the items we collect and admire are and her co-curator Trevor Brandt
the stories behind their creation, craft, and use. will be bringing Althin’s story to life journalofantiques@gmail.com
AWhile an object might bear the mark or label of a this summer in a special exhibit at Maxine Carter-Lome Business Manager
company or business, the hands that produced the object the American Swedish Historical Museum in Jeffrey Lome
are typically invisible and unknown, especially when it Philadelphia called American by Craft: The Furniture of jeffrey@journalofantiques.com
comes to handmade items such as tools, furniture, Olof Althin. His story will be told through photographs, Managing Editor
textiles, jewelry, and kitchenware. These makers were letters, and business papers donated by his family, select Judy Gonyeau
tradesmen, craftsmen, artisans, and general laborers pieces of his furniture, tools, and more. Learn more editorial@journalofantiques.com
trained to make utilitarian goods by hand for an intended about this furniture maker and the upcoming exhibit on
purpose. Their name was not nearly as important as their page 12. Contributing Writer
finished products to all but a select group of buyers. Much has been written about Arts & Crafts Erica P. Lome, Ph.D.
Over a century later, these utilitarian items are being furniture, architecture, and ceramics, its icons, philosophy, Art Director
purchased as decorative objects valued for their design and design aesthetic, but until recently, little attention Lynn Cotterman
aesthetic, and for collections to help us better understand has been paid to elevating the status of lesser-known ads@journalofantiques.com
the history and progression of the craft in its making. makers who embraced and perpetuated the Arts & Crafts Production
This growing appreciation for the fundamentals of the aesthetic by the goods they produced and how they ran Jill Montague
trade is also driving collectors and scholars to research their business. With a century worth of objects and Judy Gonyeau
and identify the maker behind the object to include their documentation on the Arts & Crafts Movement (roughly
story in the narrative, as well. the turn of the 20th century to the 1920s), scholars and 508-347-1960
Through the study of Material Culture, a relatively collectors are ready for a deeper dive to uncover the Toll free:
new field of academic inquiry that explores the history of stories behind some of the lesser-known makers whose 888-698-0734
objects to better understand the world in which they produced goods readily associate them with the
were made, unknown persons with rich contributions to Movement, but whose names remain unknown to all but Fax: 508-347-0911
the craft are re-emerging from the depths of obscurity to the most serious collectors. Mailing:
have their stories told, and their person re-associated with In this issue we also look at the hand-making of P. O. Box 950
their creations. woven fabrics over time, the evolution of handmade Sturbridge, MA 01566

Henry Ford was an early pioneer in this effort. “I am pottery, and the history of blacksmithing to learn more info@journalofantiques.com
collecting the history of our people as written into things about the history behind the objects we love to collect
their hands made and used … When we are through, we and some of the names of makers we may not know. UPS and FedEx
shall have reproduced American life as lived, and that, I If it’s April, it’s also our annual look at glass and this Shipping Address:
think, is the best way of preserving at least a part of our year, despite COVID and the cancellation of many 46 Hall Road
history and tradition …,” said Ford. The Henry Ford annual glass shows and club conventions, is no different. Sturbridge, MA 01566
Museum now shares those names and stories as part of its In our pages this month we learn more about Venetian Journal of
mission to preserve the history of industrialization and “millefiori” glass trade beads with Sarah Peabody Antiques and Collectibles
innovation. More recently, the Black Craftspeople Turnbaugh and take a closer look at Pitkin bottles is published monthly in digital
Digital Archive project is investigating people of color with Kary Pardy. Plus, there is a comprehensive listing of and quarterly in print by
in the early American South involved in a variety of glass clubs and museums where you can learn more Weathervane Enterprises, Inc.
trades. And Glenn Adamson’s celebrated new book about glass-types of interest and upcoming, online, and 46 Hall Road
Craft: An American History, sheds new light on the role in-person meetings, shows, and glass exhibitions. Sturbridge MA 01566.
of artisans in shaping American identity. This scholarly We also used this issue and our return to print for the
work is giving a face to the form of the maker’s move- spring season, to provide you with new information on Periodicals postage paid at
ment that re-defines the work done in a pre-20th century upcoming antique shows, vintage bazaars, and flea Sturbridge MA.
industrialized society. markets with an update to our 2021 Show Directory.
Nowhere is this field of study more actively on Our advertisers and show organizers are excited to see
display than in the furniture trade, where a lot of forensic you again at their shops and events with the restrictions POSTMASTER:
research is taking place to tie antique pieces of furniture in place to help you return with confidence for your Send address changes to
to their design origin and maker. By exploring an safety. For the most updated information on shows, The Journal of Antiques
object’s “DNA” in light of such elements as carpentry flea markets, and auctions, please visit us online at and Collectibles
design, construction, materials used, identifying marks, www.journalofantiques.com, where you will find our
provenance, purchase receipts, business records, recorded online Calendar of Events and so much more! ISSN: (1539-5618)
history, and such, connections are made and the shape of P.O. Box 950
a maker emerges. Sturbridge, MA 01566
These makers are now being recognized and
The Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
celebrated; their work on display in museums, and their reserves the right to reject any advertising that
backstory folded into dissertations on the history of their does not comply with our standards. The
Journal will not be liable for any errors or
craft. My daughter Erica Lome, who received her Ph.D. omissions but will print a correction in the
in Material Culture this past May and is a frequent following issue if notification of such error is
sent by the appropriate deadline. Original
contributor to this Magazine as well as Curatorial Maxine Carter-Lome, Publisher
manuscripts are welcomed by qualified
Associate at the Concord Museum, shares one such story writers. We assume no responsibility for loss
on Olof Althin, a Swedish born cabinetmaker who of unsolicited material.
worked in Boston, Massachusetts between 1880 and Copyright 2021
1920. With a grant from the Decorative Arts Trust, Erica All rights reserved

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