Maine Antique Digest March 2015

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Maine Antique Digest, March 2015 29-A
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(413) 665-0038 E-mail:
221 Greenfield Rd. (Routes 5 and 10)
South Deerfield, MA 01373
I-91 Exit 24
(then North 2 miles)
Antique Associates at
West Townsend, MA
MacDougall-Gionet
Wells, ME
And of course,
at Our House!
Taghkanic Basket . . . All Taghkanic
baskets express the same idea of how
a basket should be made. By altering
shape, handle design, height and size,
the Taghkanic basket makers produced
a range of baskets that are all derivatives
of their signature form. Here we have
a round bottom, round top variant with
a low body. Note: here again the protruding rim that denotes “Taghkanic.”
Sturdy construction, a wonderful patina and excellent condition make this
basket a very desirable addition to any collection or a perfect stand-alone
piece. It is of a great size . . . 15” in diameter x 3¾” high.
Burl Mortar . . . wonderful little primitive Burl
Mortar with a great surface and figure. Unlike
most others that we find, it has not been turned
on a lathe but is in its original state and simply
been hollowed out, reminding us of the very
early mortars that were hollowed out of rock
or stone. Function defined form and what was
needed was simply a way to utilize the pestle
to pulverize the contents of the mortar. From
the size, logic would say that this was most
probably used to crush the spices and herbs
that were so much a part of seasoning food to
disguise the fact that they might be “going over
the top,” which they likely were as there was no refrigeration. But let’s not go
there.
The surface is dry and very tactile . . . it speaks of its use through the passage
of the centuries. In its simplicity, it speaks volumes to those who will listen
and appreciate its virtues. The patina is everything we want it to be. The
inside shows wear from much hard use, so much so that the pestle can stand
up in the worn surface of the interior bottom. Dating from 1650 - 1750, this is
a very special piece. If I could only have one mortar, this would be it!
Roger A. Perry
Rita A. King
By Chance
or Appointment
Rare American Painted Tin Bread
Basket, Stevens Plains, Maine,
Ca. 1810. The pierced or reticulated
Bread Basket is a very rare form as
not that many were made. As the
piercing was punched by hand, the
process was quite labor intensive
and most likely too time consuming
for the tinsmith to consider pierced
pieces as standard items in his
inventory. Strawberries, Double Cherries, and bold bright Tulips
with overtone painting in red and yellow fill the bottom of the
black painted Bread Basket. A simple, but effective “comma”
border is found at the top rim and around the bottom as well
as under the cutout handles . . . a mark of good artistic design,
as anything more elaborate would have been overkill. The
reticulated sides are the stars of the show here.
The painted tinware from Stevens Plains is much admired by
collectors. It has its own unique “look” and artistic design. This
particular piece is in fine condition with its original surface
and paint. While there is the expected craquelure to the paint,
surprisingly it is mostly there with very little loss and what loss
there is is on the sides not on the painted decoration. The painted
decoration is bright and bold and the colors are strong. Rarely
do we find early 19th Century painted Tinware in this condition.
13½” x 8” x 3¾” high at the ends.
18th Century Spiral (Helix) Adjustable Candlestick. While
most commonly found in the 7½”-8” height range, this one is
an impressive 10.6” tall! It is beautifully wrought with a wide
spaced helix set into a “high dome” turned wooden base 3.23”-
3.26” in diameter. At the upper end, the spiral ends in a hook like
handle with a rat tail terminus. The function of the hook is two-
fold. Firstly, the hook was intended as a carrying
handle and allowed for carrying the candlestick
without having to grip the piece by its coils (they
would have been hot) and protected the hand from
dripping tallow. Secondly, the hook enabled the
candlestick to be hung from a wall hook, or even
from the back of a chair or other piece of furniture
to provide light where needed.
The overall condition is excellent with no cracks,
breaks, or repairs. The patina is exceptional and the
internal candle cup moves freely within the spiral
by means of beautifully formed “curl traveler.”
Classic Peaseware Footed
Urn with Cover still retains
its original varnish finish and
is in excellent condition with a
wonderful patina. The refined
finial would indicate its date of
manufacture as between 1860-
80. Standing 5-1/2” high, it is
4” in diameter. Its graceful lines
and the presence of strong figure
(tigering) in the maple make this an exceptional example
of the “Best of the Best”!
From Lancaster County, Pennsylvania a true
miniature painted Blanket Chest in the best Windsor
Green Paint . . .
The original feet are
painted a contrasting
black and the hinges,
lock, and keeper are
original to the piece.
It’s all about surface
and patina here
and the oxidation
is perfect for its age. The visible nails are hand cut and
square. The case is masterfully dovetailed and the piece
is as solid as the day it was made. The paint is the finest
you will see on a Blanket Chest, no matter what size! It
is signed in pencil on the interior “Joshua F. Kaylor, AD
1829”. The wood from which it is made is American
white pine. No repairs, no touchups, no kidding! 14¾”
across the front x 6 7/8” deep x 8¾” high. A true survivor
that the years have treated kindly.