Oh!! My Gawd!!!
What treasures!....and to have them be family pieces too.....youa re sooo lucky!
You know the clock is fabulous.....what's to say!!
The chair....early 19th century at least...spindle backed.....also fabulous!
Desk....I'm not sure I have the words....bracket foot, early 19th century cherry?
Mahogany veneered sideboard, late 18th century, full provenance...
you have fabulous stuff!!
Would love to see the Chinese pottery and the rockers!
Linda C
Mirror seems to have replaced glass?....early 19th century, gold leaf....pedamamont....

To refinish or not refinish. It depends on your purpose for the piece. If you are a dealer such as myself, I rarely purchase a refinished piece. On the other hand, if a piece is to be used constantly and it is planned to keep it in the family you might consider a professional restoration. An example might be the flood damaged sideboard. Most pros would have repaired the missing veneer. The tall clock is a masterpiece.

Thanks for the info guys! I didn't get any pictures of the pottery tonight...will have to dig some stuff out of the sideboard for that. I did get some pictures of a bench we have in our upstairs hallway, the 2 rockers and some other various and sundry things.

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This bench was made of a carriage seat. Don't know when, by whom or where it came from (other than through hubby's family). As you can see, it's well worn. Underneath it is the small primitive footstool (untouched finish) and an old iron stand (?). Pardon the cat fur.

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This is what I call the Ladies Rocker. I don't know much about it except that it's either in excellent condition or it's been refinished. Or maybe it's new. Dunno. Also from hubby's mother's side.

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Meet Neat. My son's pet giraffe which he insisted I photograph if I was going to be in his room taking pictures of "stuff". :)

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This piece reminds me of Out of Africa. A gentleman's shaving stand? Small drawer and mirror. Original finish and (I think) original mirror as well. No idea of how old this may be. In good condition.

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Child's rocker. I don't have measurements for any of this stuff tonight as I was trying to put kidlets to bed while taking photographs. Whipping out the tape measure was a bit much, so I let it go. This is in (surprisingly) good condition, especially considering it lives in my daughter's room. Again, no clue about the provenance or dating on this one.

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Candle Mold. Old microscope. Marty and the Big Eared Elephant and a scary troll. :)-

I should probably get some books and do some research, but it's so much fun sharing and getting impressions from other people! I'll check our library's website...any ideas of good books to look for to get general ideas on dating, styles, etc.? As always, thanks in advance!

Susan

The wagon seat bench is late 1880's probably.....and looks likt a nice table had the top replaced with an old wagon sear....reinforced with angle irons.
The little stool is cute....and the iron stand I suspect held an iron.
The rocker late 19th century....likely walnut and for sure recaned.
The mirror could be from a wide period....but it's nifty!
The splat back rocker appears to be of a style of about mid 19th century....and again an obviously new oak splint seat.. ( but well done and what good is a chair without a seat?
The candle molds could be over a wide period....likely mid 19th century.
The Cricket box is likely a 1950's India import....I have one just like it!
Linda C

Oh. My. Gosh. That clock is too fine for words!!! And the painting! Who cares if it's a Sully...I'd kill for the frame alone. :) We have a desk that's so similar to yours that I did a double-take when I saw the picture. Don't you just love it? It's one of my favorite pieces.

It just gives me warm fuzzies to know that all these lovely things ended up in a home where they're appreciated for both their beauty and their sentimental value. Doesn't usually happen, you know...

Thanks so much for sharing the pix and the stories!

Thanks for all the comments and information! I've been overwhelmed with other business the last few days, but I got to look around for some information last night and found some very similar pieces through ARTFACT.com. Tomorrow I hope to get to the library.

TrueGrits -- It's interesting that you say you have an almost identical secretary, as we spied one very similar at our neighbor's home down the street. It's very odd to come face to face with something so similar to something that you know (Or thought!) is in limited supply in this world. Although I guess this was a very popular style, given all the examples I've seen.

Also, interestingly enough, last night on Ebay, I found an auction from January for the exact same book we have that dates to 1695. It sold for only $1500 or so. :( It's actually the one peice we've considered selling, but not at that kind of price!

It's truly an amazing book by Otavio Scarlatini; here's just a portion of the description: "describing and depicting the human body in its details and in its entirety in every aspect conceivable, from the anatomical, rational, moral, mystical, political, legal, etc. point of view, and furtherrmore as used in emblems, morals, mystics, proverbs, language symbols, prognostications, pictures, statues, history, rites, reflections, customs, numismatics, dedications, signatures, literary allegories, epitaphs, fables, wonders, medicine, dreams, etc." Can you imagine?

We got our copy from DH's brother who got it from his father who was a well-known editor in NYC in the 70's. He apparently got it from a writer friend in lieu of payment for something (?)...don't remember the details, but as I recall, there's a typed letter in the book. Or maybe that's to the writer from whomever he got it from? Dunno... Anyway, here's a link if anyone's interested:

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Homo et ejus partes figuratus & symbolicus, anatomicus....

Have you considered emailing your photographs to a major auction house, such as Skinner's or Sotheby's? Most of them would be happy to give you a ballpark estimate of value at no charge. Of course, they'll probably beg you to sell the items through them.

BTW, I noticed you'll use any excuse to growl at your mother-in-law. :-)

Susan

Hey Susan!

Take a look at the link - specifically the info on The Logan Inn. I can't give you any information on your fantastic pieces, but I can put you in contact with a local (Bucks County) expert who can. Email me via GW email and I will give you the name, phone, etc of someone who can help.

Alexa

PS - The Logan Inn is great - I was there for dinner a couple of weeks ago with friends!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Logan Inn New Hope PA

Susan (alisande) -- That's because I can't get in trouble for growling about her here! All kidding aside, though...I do love her. She's a fine woman, a cancer survivor, a terrific grandmother to our two kids, a fantastic cook, a wonderful gardener, and most of all? She did a great job raising the man who is my husband. Mostly by herself, at that. For all of those things (and more), I praise her. For damaging antiques, I growl at her. ;)~

The last time I considered contacting a major auction house, it was about that book. In fact, I was put in touch with someone at Christies by a woman in NYC who deals in rare books and he never returned my calls. I gave up. I know that one of the houses (Sotheby's, maybe?) has a free service, but the process is a bear: fill out forms on each peice individually, send 3x5 photographs, mail it all and hope for a response in 4-6 weeks. I'm so much more an email person -- instant gratification, I guess! Anyway, I suppose I should do that.

Alexa -- Caliloo! Good to see you! It's funny you mention Bucks County...that's where DH's aunt and uncle lived when they had the sideboard in their possession. Doylestown. I'd love the name of someone to contact. Thanks for the link -- I'll take a look here this afternoon before kids are up from naps. I'll send you an email as well, although I've not had much luck with GW email lately. If you don't get something from me, would you mind emailing me privately? It's basically my screenname, minus the _underscores (in other words GardenOfDarwin, all one word), plus the "at" sign and verizon, then .net. I'd appreciate it! I'll try the GW email, though...

Thanks again!
Susan

Susan, Skinner's makes the process a lot easier. All you have to do is email the right department (they are listed on the website), attaching digital images. That's it. I sold a bunch of stuff through them last year, and it was a good experience.

Sounds like your MIL is a gem! We'll never tell her about the growls. :-)

Susan

Garden of Darwin,
I have a clock that is remarkably similar to yours. I'll dig out what info I have on it and tell you more, also can show you pics (if I can locate them and figure out how to post them) if you are interested. Mine is also from PA, and I think it also dates to about the same as yours. I had it refinished as the original finish was black and cracked, you could barely see the wood. My husband, who initially wanted to trash the thing, will faint when he hears about your estimate. But sounds like I need to have somebody do an appraisal AND I need to fasten it to the wall (we are in So CA).