This is an auction devoted to high quality antique furniture, treen, lighting, pottery and Inuit art. Here is a mini tour of the auction, capturing some of the highlights.
Starting with the Quebec collection, there are a number of early cupboards of note. There is a pine two-tier buffet in two colours. While the front is overpainted it still retains the untouched red on one side where it was probably placed up against a wall so there was no need to “improve” that side. Another cupboard is a single door storage cupboard, also in a 19th overpaint. The original dark green shows through in a few places. The door has been chiselled out over a century ago to attach a forged iron door latch. Both cupboards are constructed with forged nails and date to the early part of the 19th C. There are also two dramatic washstands that were most likely made by the same cabinet maker. Both feature dramatic “winged shape” back splashes, convex drawers and panelled doors. One may have been made for a child as it has a single drawer and door, and the other for the parents since it has double drawer and door configuration.
It’s not often we get the chance to purchase colonial American furniture. One such table has made its way north of the border. It’s a mid 18th C American tavern table with box stretcher and large lapped drawer in a very early untouched red paint. It’s a fine example of this versatile kind of table that was used in taverns but also domestically.
The auction has four games boards. One is a fine 19th C Quebec board – parcheesi on one side and checkers on the other. Two other boards are checker boards, both in untouched surfaces. The fourth is a folding chess board, homemade with minimalist carved pine chess pieces. The board is black and white, while the chess pieces are painted black or left natural.
There are many examples of small painted country decoratives and accessories. There are pine clock shelves, pails, buckets, document boxes, etc. One interesting discovery was the miniature dome top box with the initial “SBP”. Written inside the box in faint script it says “Col S.Pepler Treasure Box. It is intriguing to think what treasures may have been stored in this pre-WWI box.
One exciting component of this auction is the collection of early burl. There is an 18th C burl mortar, and a number of 18th/19th C burl bowls. All are in untouched surface. One exceptional piece and one that may be unique is the ash burl box made from a solid burl, no joinery, no added pieces, just the lid sawn from the burl block and the box part hewn out and then hinged to the lid. Again, all pieces are in untouched surface.
One consignor had a passion for collecting esoteric and hard-to-find early iron especially lighting, fireplace and kitchen related items. There are several examples in this auction including a signed chestnut roaster, early forged trivets including a tri-legged circular one with local provenance.
There are several refinished pieces from Ontario collectors. These include a large early farm table, a Niagara corner cupboard, bucket shelves and chests of drawers.
Sometimes a collector needs a specific piece for a specific space and just can’t find the right antique. We have in this auction a harvest table with a drawer in two colours, made from Renfrew County legs, old pine tabletop boards and new frame. Another custom-built piece is the very well made small one door wall cupboard, almost a small chimney cupboard, in a very attractive distressed blue painted surface. It’s made from old components and is very appealing.
The auction ha two other collections worth noting. First there is a small grouping of Ontario redware and stoneware that evidence suggest might be made by noted potters like Eby, Owen Sound, or Biersenstihl. One such scarce piece is the miniature jelly mold in spotted glaze.
A second small but noteworthy grouping is the Inuit art by noted carvers including Floyd Kuptana and Judas Ullulaq.
Please look through the auction carefully. There are many hidden gems that you can discover. Enjoy and if you are able please come to preview as items always look better in person!
Please call Barry at 519-803-3945 to make an appointment if you would like to preview this auction.
