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DEL.ICIO.USWhat is your favorite antique?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I may have a penchant for luxury goods, but my favorite piece of furniture is a worn, old Louis-inspired china cabinet I purchased for $350 in my early 20s. It weighs about the same as an elephant, which made my last four moves even more fun, but it’s brass detailed glass panes and pedestal legs make it worth the trouble.
I found the cabinet at Tableaux, a great vintage and antique furniture store in downtown Frederick, Md.; the owner, Jane Christofori, combs the region for overlooked, stylish, yet affordable goods. I can’t tell you when my cabinet was built, but she and I guess sometime in the 1960s or 70s. I repainted the interior for a pop of color and to hide the stale cigarette stench from the previous owner, and instead of china, I fill it with pictures and platters.
What is your favorite vintage or antique item? Where did you find it, or is it a family heirloom? (And if you can tell me anything about my china cabinet’s origin, please share!)
June 24th update: Our friend Stewart came through with pictures of his heirloom Chippendale secretary. Click on the image and see the stunning fretwork and well-preserved filigree. Say Stewart, for what price are you willing to part with this gorgeous piece?
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Comments
By Melissa
June 19, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
The only antiques we have are side tables; one from ~ 1880 and one from the early 1900s. The one from 1880 has a single drawer, spool legs and I believe it is made of walnut. The other is an oak table with glass ball and claw feet with one shelf. We found both in Salisbury, NC.
Katie, I like both of the cabinets above. Which one is yours? You could go a little crazy with a pop of color or even gold leaf sheets - or silver or bronze leaf sheets! That would be a cool look too!
By Katie Leslie
June 19, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Oh, I should’ve clarified - the first one is how I bought it; the doors are removed in this picture to allow for painting. The second photo is of the finished product. Bronze leaf sheets would be quite sexy!
By JJ
June 24, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I have many favorite antiques. But I think my most favoritest (new word), is my Great-grandmother’s sewing table. It has a hidden drawer, and I keep most of my valuable jewlery in there.
It now serves as a tv stand in my bedroom.
My other favorite antique is a set of dishes I inherited from my Grandmother. My mom wanted to give them to Goodwill, but once I spotted them, I had to have them. It took me 3 years to find out the name of the pattern. I love them, and the pieces are very hard to find, but I enjoy travelling and trying to find more pieces.
My home has numerous antique pieces of furniture, all handed down within the family. I have never bought an antique.
By ron
June 24, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
I guess I would have to say my wife is my favorite antique.I know she’s going to read this,so I want to go on record as saying that I only mean this as a compliment.
By Earl
June 24, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
Most days my favorite antique is my wife.
By Equal time
June 24, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
I’m sure your wife has the same thoughts of you Earl. Of course, maybe she has no thoughts at all.
By OldSchool
June 24, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
My favorite antiques are the 2 macrame purses made by my aunt prior to 1913. We know the approximate date because one has a first place blue ribbon from the 1913 Arkansas State Fair pinned to it. The entry card (also attached) reads “Article: Mackramee bag made by a child 5 yrs old”
I don’t know if her age is correct but I do know my aunt did make the purses. I also inherited her pitcher collection which numbers over 600 and ranges in size from 3/16” tall (made from a tooth) to pint sized. Most date from the early 1900s up to WWII. My uncle (her husband) made several from brass shell casings while overseas during the war. There’s one made from a penny, one of silver wire, a crocheted one and lots of blown glass pitchers. About 20 or so are glued to a 2x3” mirror because they are so tiny.
By All Wound Up
June 24, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I’ve always been bored with antiques that just sit there and let you look at them - I much enjoy things that do something. That’s why my favorite antiques are my collection of wind-up phonographs (Columbia, Victrola, Edison) and the records that they play. What’s even more amazing is that the very oldest of records (around the turn of the last century) were all recorded in the presence of the artist - they would set up a bank of cylinders in a room, have the orchestra and singer do a performance, remove those records, load up a new set and have them do another performance, and so on. Each version is slightly different due to the variations of live performances!
By Julie
June 24, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
My grandmother’s Dining Room Suite w/China cabinet. It was made in 1932 at the Toccoa Furniture Factory. It still has the tag on it underneath the table. We have had a whole lot of good food, fun and love around that old table over the years.
By JJ
June 24, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Another favorite antique, is the Cherrywood bed my daughter sleeps in. It belonged to my Great-grandmother on my Dad’s side of the family. Hardly a scratch on it. It was my bed for 20 years before I bought new furniture. I hope she can pass it on to her children.
By Stewart
June 24, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this
All Wound Up, those sound (sorry!) fantastic…what a cool heirloom.
Mine, however, is a piece of furniture. It’s a mahogany Chippendale Irish secretary, circa 1750, that my mother treasured. We typically feature our “antique” books in there, along with vintage family photos.
It’s a beauty, and I think of my mom every time I see it.
By Pat
June 24, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
My favorite antique is a very old oak pulpit. Made mid 1850’s and it quite worn where the preacher would lean on it and has several “patches” from carpenter bees (I guess), but I can only imagine what all its seen.
By Pat
June 24, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
My favorite antique is a very old oak pulpit. Made mid 1850’s and it quite worn where the preacher would lean on it and has several “patches” from carpenter bees (I guess), but I can only imagine what all its seen.
By Pat
June 24, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
My favorite antique is a very old oak pulpit. Made mid 1850’s and it quite worn where the preacher would lean on it and has several “patches” from carpenter bees (I guess), but I can only imagine what all its seen.
By Pat
June 24, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
My favorite antique is a very old oak pulpit. Made mid 1850’s and it quite worn where the preacher would lean on it and has several “patches” from carpenter bees (I guess), but I can only imagine what all its seen.
By just sayin'
June 24, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
John McCain
By Mark
June 24, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Don Imus
By oldtime ajc fan
June 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
As an avid follower of the AJC for many years….
I must say my favorite antique without a shadow of a doubt is
Furman Bisher
By BPJ
June 24, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
My favorite old objects in our house are not usually labeled “antiques”, although some of them are over 200 years old: books. Antiques you can read. Another favorite antique is an ancestor’s flintlock rifle, which he carried at the Battle of Yorktown.
We have some 18th & 19th century furniture, which we mix with modern art - try it.
By Katie Leslie
June 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Stewart, The Chippendale piece sounds beautiful - where did your mother find it? About how large is it? And lastly, can you submit a pic? I’d love to post it on the blog! My e-mail is kleslie@ajc.com
By Stewart
June 24, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your interest, Katie.
My mom found it at a place called Byerly’s Antiques in Greensboro, NC, in July of ‘72.
It’s a little over 7’ high, nearly 2’ deep, and about 3.5’ wide.
By Carri
June 24, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
My favorite antiques are several quilts made by my grandmother and great grandmother. They grew up and lived in Missouri all their lives. The oldest quilt made by my great grandmother is not any specific pattern that I know of, just kind of patchwork, but the backing was made out of sugar bags. I think it was probably made around 1915-1930. I’m sure they came in handy on those cold Missouri winter nights.
By Melissa
June 24, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
I was perusing Craigslist and discovered an upcoming Estate Sale (in July) - the secretary in the picture is beautiful!
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/gms/730296741.html
By Stewart
June 24, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Good thing that question didn’t come up a few months ago when I was out of work, Katie! ;-)
I can’t imagine letting it go, nor can I imagine the beating my sister would give me if I did. Mom had a number of neat pieces that we split between us, rather amicably, I must say, but the secretary was always my favorite.
BTW, in ‘72 she picked it up for $2,250.
By milmambiggilm
July 26, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
Пoлезные статьи о Seo, продвижении сайтов и заработку в интернет
By AlexM
August 13, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!