Where To Find: Brass Pulls & Casters
Posted on | January 6, 2012 | 15 Comments
Spotted at auction
I often find chests at auction missing a few of their original brass pulls. Optimum Brasses in the UK produces replicas using the lost-wax process. Over 7000 different items are available in their inventory and can be viewed in their online catalog. Above a Chippendale chest I bid on and lost at auction with it’s original brass pulls.
I’ve had my eye on the below sofa by Max Rollit since spotting the piece in Ben Pentreath’s den. I’ve had a hard time finding a similar piece stateside. I’ve been investigating having a local workroom build me one to fit the proportions of my den. Ben suggested I check out the casters at Optimum Brasses for the project.
Since we’re talking brass pulls I wanted to share a few ideas for the kitchen. Handsome pulls dress up drawers and give the space an elegant antique feel. My two favorite examples are below from Plain English’s website.
Two kitchens from Plain English
A few selections I pulled from Optimum Brass’s catalog for reference. Aren’t they all just gorgeous? My friend Lizzie in New York had this to say, “I always love calling them on the phone because the ladies who answer have the sweetest accents!”
Related Posts:
Leather Drawer Pulls from Turnstyle Designs
Ring Pull Knobs
My First Auction
My First Auction
Posted on | November 16, 2011 | 28 Comments
Image courtesy of Northeast Auctions
On Sunday Greg and I attended our first auction in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I’ve been intimated by the process and was nervous about the whole idea of bidding. Would I over bid? Or bid by accident?
I got a tip about this particular auction a few weeks ago at a Historic New England workshop and heard a few of their 4-drawer chests would be auctioned off at Northeast. I scoured the auction catalog and found the bowfront chest above. The piece had no notation coming from Historic New England’s collection but I was able to find the chest in their Collections Access section.
Image courtesy of Historic New EnglandThe maker unknown, dated 1800-1810, and described as, “Chest of drawers with four graduated bowfront drawers; cock beading; bail handles; ogee bracket feet.” In the above photo you’ll notice one of the legs is badly damaged. In the top photo supplied by Northeast Auction the leg looks as if it’s been repaired? Northeast notes the piece as: New England Chippendale Bow Front Chest of Drawers.
I went into full daydream mode for weeks with this chest and where I would put it in my den. The cherry and the bowfront were gorgeous; I really liked the size and how the chest wasn’t heavily ornamented with veneers.
When we arrived at the auction we were able to preview all the items. I was able to inspect the chest, open all the drawers and take a closer look at the repair done to the leg. I registered with the auction by supplying my driver’s license and signing off on a form that made me aware of the 18% buyer’s premium and then I received a number card to bid. The buyer’s premium is a fee imposed by the auction house in addition to the hammer price. It’s something to keep in mind when bidding on items. If you’re looking at passed auctions you’ll often notice two numbers. One is with the buyer’s premium and the other is without premium.
Images courtesy of Northeast Auctions
I also checked out two rugs I spotted in the catalog; the auction house rolled out both for me and let me view outdoors. I tend to like the more worn antique rugs with some fading. The above is a large Khorrossan and below a smaller Kuba rug.
Once the auction started I was surprised how quickly they moved through items. Tea sets and bowls went for thousands of dollars. What had I got myself into? The room was full of dealers with much larger bank accounts then me. Was I out of my league?
As we moved closer and closer to the lot I got really nervous and overheated. I removed my number stuck between the pages of my catalog and got ready. The bidding started on Lot 588 and within moments I had bid a few times. I got nervous and was out bid. I was devastated. A few more chests came up that had similar estimates that went for about half the price. Why? We left before the rugs came up; I was too depressed and I wasn’t that in love with them. We went out for lobster rolls and tried to come with tactics on how to win next time.
In the end it was a learning experience—how an auction is run and I got over my fear of bidding. And I realized I have a thing for Chippendale 4-drawer chests with beautiful ogee feet. Will I ever find another?
Related Posts:
Learning More About Early American Antiques
New Find! Blanket Chest
New Finds: Table, Marble Bowl, and Oil Painting
Heritage Houses at Strawbery Banke
Learning More About Early American Antiques
Posted on | September 20, 2011 | 7 Comments
On Sunday, Sharon from The Marston House sent me over to meet with Gail White an antique dealer specializing in Colonial period antiques and accessories. Situated down a side street in Wiscasset with no signs or markings is Gail’s house. Inside her home is filled with chairs, tables, boxes and art—almost everything is for sale. Gail spent over an hour with me describing each piece I remarked on as well as giving me cues on what to look for. Gail will be at the upcoming Antiques in Vermont show in Manchester (Oct. 2) as part of Antiques week. For more info on the show: 802-236-2342.
Below photos I snapped with a super cute and affordable settee and book tips. Thank you to Gail for being so sweet and taking the time to meet with me.
Gail White Early American Antiques
35 Pleasant Street
Wiscasset, Maine
By Appointment Only
207.882.8180
Medium stretcher tiger maple and replaced maple top circa 1710-50, MA or Ct.
Early pieces are large (women’s fingers can almost never touch) and heavier because of first growth wood.
An antique brass chamber candlestick I purchased from Gail. She noted the little hook we associate with chamber sticks came later.
On the back of the candlestick are these notes. It was sold in recent auction at Skinner’s as part of Sally Whittemore. The Macon House on the right indicates a tavern. I’m not sure where the Macon House was located.
I spotted this settee as soon as I walked in. Not period but a reproduction Gail picked up about 10 years ago.
The Barrel Settle is available for purchase through theseraph.com in Sturbridge, MA. I would suggest spending some time clicking around on this website; I found some really cool pieces including arm chairs and windsor benches.
Beyond New England Thresholds, Samuel Chamberlain, amazon.com. A great book for inspiration on how to arrange furniture in older homes.
The Impecunious Collector's Guide to American Antiques, John T., Kirk, amazon.com. Gail told me to read this book, “like a novel”.
Related Posts:
The Marston House Antiques: Bed & Breakfast
Pumpkin Beauty: Cogswell’s Grant House
Follow Me
-
House Renovation Posts
Olive Gray
Yellow Accents
Worn Wood Bench
Peter Dunham Fabric
Putty Grey Mantel
Green Inspiration
Make Cinnamon Hearts
Kathleen Galligan
Silk Green Curtains
Site Feed
About Blog
A journal about new england life, decorating inspiration, and renovating a 262-year-old house in Marblehead, Massachusetts. read more...
Press & Mentions
