I've wanted an antique European wooden gilt mirror ever since visiting the little antique malls outside of Aix on the N7.   Besides being outrageously expensive (1000 to 1500 Euros), they were too big to get in a suitcase.   Getting one wasn't even an option.   Then I accidently came across one on German eBay several weeks ago.  This one was even better than those at the antique malls in Provence and even more elaborate.  Over-the-top actually.   Just perfect for my little powder room.  I had just bought all those soliders and monkeys, and I thought I'd better pass.  But Eileen was the little devil in my ear telling me to go for it, so I did.   Of course, I can't make purchases like this work without my daughter's American friend living on base in Germany.   I had the mirror sent to her (as I do all my German eBay purchases), and she sent it to me via the American Base post office.   Just a week later it arrived at my door, in perfect shape and more wonderful than I could have ever imagined!

It looks wonderful flanked by my antique pair of French wall scones on either side.  It took a little bit of work from my friend who is an electrical engineer to get the wall sconces up and running.  Since they are such low wattage, it was determined that it was safe to use the existing European wiring.  All that was needed were little screw-in adapters from an antique lighting shop so I could use American lightbulbs.

The top piece of the mirror is highly carved with an inset of a small oil painting of cherubs.   As to country of origin on this piece, I can't be sure.  I asked Maria, who is a wonderful scholar of history, about what country it's from -- France, or Italy perhaps?  She said it could be either or even Germany as well, but "I think these were not typical of a country, but of an era."  Perfect answer! 

My heart stopped when I saw this up for auction several weeks ago.  I had never seen another like it.  I normally leave the collecting of platform toys to my son, but this one I couldn't resist.  The monkey dressed up in white shirt and black tie is ever so appealing, and then the white polar bear trailing behind just as much so!   It arrived last week, and I wasn't disappointed. 

I had expected the head to be made of papier-mache, but was surprised to see it's carved of wood, possibly from a coconut shell.  The fabric of the monkey's suit is extremely old.

 

Also arriving last week was a German mechanical monkey.  When the lever in the front of the box is pressed, the monkey's tongue sticks out.  This is a nice early toy and one I had never seen before.  The finish on the monkey is what the German collectors call "Tuchstaub" or what we may refer to as "flocked" perhaps.  Because of the "Tuchstaub" application I would date this piece ca. 1880.

Yet another monkey arrived last week, this time in the form of a squeaker.   This one is no doubt German, and although it has a little damage to one foot, I'm thrilled to have found it. 

Making it even more special is the mechanical aspect of this squeaker.  When pressing on the bellows, the tongue pops out!

Of all my collections, toys from the Erzgebirge region of Germany remain my favorites.  I've been seriously collecting these for about ten years now, but only recently found out why.  Although I obviously knew my forefathers on both sides emigrated from Germany, I only found out a month ago, quite by accident when doing a Google search, that my maternal great grandparents were born in the heart of the Erzgebirge region in the 1840s.  How strange is that?  I suppose that explains my fascination with toys from this region.  It all comes down to genetics! 

The Erzgebirge soldiers I've been able to assemble are without a doubt the oldest and rarest pieces in my collection, dating to the 1820s or 1830s.   The soldier on horse pull toy above is the star of the group.   Measuring a foot long and 10 inches high, it dates to ca. 1830s.   Typical of Erzgebirge toys of this period, the pull toy platform has wooden inset wheels.   This example is extremely rare.   No doubt only a handful exist.  

Except for some breaks or cracks in the papier-mache here and there, the piece is complete.   Although condition is very good, on items of this age and rarity condition can be overlooked.   Where are you going to find another?

 

This soldier and horse on rocker dates to the 1820s or 1830s.   It comes from an estate sale of a family in the Zoar community in northeastern Ohio.   The Zoars were a German religious community much like the Amanas where I was born and raised.   What I find most interesting is that items like the one above were imported to the US from Germany by New York City toy stores in the tens of thousands in the early 1800s.  A friend, Mary Audrey Apple, has done research on the early import of Erzgebirge toys to the US.  By going through original ledgers of toy dealers in New York City found in the Winterthur library, she discovered the toys were shipped over in amazing numbers and the competition between the handful of toy stores in New York City was amazing.   However, finding an example of a toy such as this today is like finding a needle in a haystack.  These were delicate and well played with toys, so most ended up broken and were thrown away. 

Above are two early (1830s) examples of Erzgebirge soldier Klimperkaestchen, which have cranks which when turned move the arms of the soldiers.   The base on the left is covered in old paper, while the base on the right has its original orange paint.

The soldier on the right has facial features and arms created of Brotteig (bread dough).  This was typical of toys of that era.  The bread dough would harden and then be painted.   Note the round nose on the soldier on the right and the "puffy" arms.  The soldier on the left has a carved nose -- also desirable because it shows a high level of craftsmanship -- but dates this piece a little later than the bread dough figures.

                      REAR VIEW OF KLIMPERKAESTCHEN

The soldier on horse pull toy above is a bit confusing to me and my friends in Germany, Maria and Dieter, who have such a wonderful collection and are extremely knowledgeable about the history of these toys.  Although obviously a very early piece with features made of Brotteig, pull toys of this age would have had wooden wheels as my other pull toy above.  The metal wheels are early ones, but they may be replacements of wooden wheels which would no doubt tend to come off if played with a lot.   Still, the papier-mache is in amazing original condition for its age!

Trade signs are a favorite of mine.   There are two requirements when collecting trade signs:  adequate display space (as they can be very large) and a big pocketbook.   The pocketwatch above displays beautifully over a fireplace mantel.   It comes from the L.R. Poe jewlery store in Eaton, Ohio, and was no doubt hung outside the shop.  It is two-sided, so that customers walking down the sidewalk from either direction could see the sign hanging over the entranceway.  The face of the "watch" is made of galvanized tin with painted black detailing.  The outside of the "watch" is encircled with embossed iron, making the piece extremely heavy.   Typical of watch trade signs from the late 1800s, the time is set at 8:17, the time of Abraham Lincoln's death.

This cigar sign is a most unusual and desirable piece of advertising now in my son's collection.   It is turned carved and painted to simulate tobacco leaf and the ash and ember of a lit cigar. The highly stylized lettering done in silver powder suggests that the piece was carved and painted by a professional in a metropolitan area. 

Silver lettering with traces of gold or chrome yellow silhouette the outside edges against a tobacco leaf brown ground; the flame end painted an ashen gray with wisps of trailing smoke and a ring of hot red for heat.  Measures 44 1/4 inches long.   In excellent condition.  It no doubt originally hung inside the tobacco shop and was never exposed to the elements.

Although technically not a "trade" sign, this Charity sign from an Odd Fellows lodge outside of Cleveland does fall into that category.   It fits perfectly over the door frame.   The oxblood red paint and gold gilt are still in wonderful condition.   Although not pictured, two ornamental door mouldings flank either side of the doorway under the Charity sign,  one showing a skull, and the other the famous Odd Fellows heart in hand design.  In original untouched condition, they are eight feet tall and come out of an Odd Fellows Lodge in Dubuque, Iowa.

This wooden sign hung outside the Lower South Hotel in South Amana, Iowa, sometime during the 1930s.  The house was later the Setzer/Ruff residence.  My son, who lives in the Amanas, was thrilled to have found it.  In original unrestored condition with wonderful surface. 

This trade sign no doubt hung over the doorway of a butcher shop in Gemany in the 1800s.   Made of copper and decorated with a brass hatchet and knife, it was exposed to the elements, but the wrought iron bracket and copper pig are still in very good condition and it displays beautifully in my son's kitchen.

Our visit to New Hampshire began and ended on a high note.   After lunch overlooking a ski slope on the first day and then a stop to visit some rescue dogs in town, we ventured off to the less populated side of a mountain.  After driving about 20 miles through the woods, we turned on a "road" that deadended into a long private drive.  In the clearing and nestled into the side of the mountain was a home that had been moved to this site.  The wing on the left of the house is ca. 1740 -- yes, 1740 -- and the wing on the right is ca. 1804.  The center wing, which houses the kitchen, was new construction to join the two homes together.

The drive comes around to the front of the house, which is the ca. 1740 structure.

We entered through the side door of the 1740 structure and were greeted by a warm fire in one of the ten original fireplaces of the two combined homes.

We were soon taken into the kitchen wing where we found a lovely kitchen fitting in perfectly with the two old homes, but with every modern convenience.  The homeowners have a huge garden, fruit trees and raise ducks and chickens in their old barn (heated with radiant heat) . . .  

     . . . and appetizers included dried tomatoes from the garden swimming in olive oil and wonderful bread.

 

The floor of the kitchen addition is covered with 200-year-old wood planks that were recycled during the renovation phase of the two homes.  And, no, your eyes are not deceiving you.  That is a chicken standing in front of the Sub-Zero.

Miss Chicky originally lived in the barn with all the other chickens and ducks happily laying eggs for the household and many, many "city" friends who are lucky beneficiaries.   It seems Miss Chicky got into a nasty fight with a weasel one day, and she was brought inside to recuperate.   That was three and a-half years ago, and she never left.   She lost one eye (the photo is taken from her "good side") and also lost the function of one wing, and she walks a little bit lopsided, but she has healed nicely and is very lucky little chicken!

Zelda, the dog, has welcomed Miss Chicky into the family as well.   Zelda has even allowed Miss Chicky to sleep in her dog bed.  We hear that Miss Chicky will curl up next to Zelda in bed, and Zelda gives her a push, but Miss Chicky rolls right back.  Being disabled she has a little trouble getting out of bed in the morning, but she takes her "good wing" and hangs it over the frame of the dog bed and uses that to flip herself out of bed in the morning.  Oh, by the way, we wondered (as you no doubt do, too) if Miss Chicky is potty-trained.  We hear she does very well, but when there are the inevitable messes to clean up they have found that old plastic credit cards are the perfect little scoopers for chicken poop!

This is a view of the narrow entranceway of the 1740 portion of the house looking into the dining room.  Traces of the vibrant pink color were found and painted as it was in 1740.  Early settlers loved vibrant colors in their homes.

 

The staircase is untouched and  shows original paint and stenciling.

 

Of course, not everything went smoothly.  Our rental car got stuck in a snow bank on the drive up the lane, but our host seemed thrilled to get "Betty Deere" out of the barn and pull us out!

 

I've recently returned from a visit to New Hampshire where I was fortunate to stay at the amazing home of friends who are top Americana and folk art dealers.  They deal in the best of the best and live with their inventory.  This "Power Wall" in the lovely family room brings it all together -- each piece a standout on its own, but when combined the effect is truly incredible!

Opposite the "Power Wall" filled with folk art and furniture are a bank of windows spanning the length of the room overlooking three acres of pines.  Absolutely breathtaking in the snow.   I was hoping to be snowbound at least one day so I could spend my time just staring out the window looking for a moose or a bear . . .

. . . but that never happened, and so I had to make do with Larry, a massive German shepard measuring six feet long from nose to tail.  He stands counter height in the kitchen, but has impeccible manners and never disturbs while in the kitchen preparing a meal.   Biggest baby I ever saw!

The room is flanked on either end with massive one-piece cupboards -- both absolute treasures -- and weather vanes with wonderful patina are the perfect accessories.  Note the "heart and hand" staffs which are a particular interest of the husband.  "Heart and hand" (Oddfellows) folk art is displayed throughout the house so beautifully!

                    Here two more heart and hand staffs are displayed next to the one-piece cupboard in the opposite corner of the room.

 

A rare three-dimensional Oddfellows sign once displayed outside an Oddfellows Hall comprised of the signature Oddfellows three rings of a chain with the letters F L T for faith, love and trust.  Displays beautifully over a knockout hooked rug. 

 

Of course, with early Americana and folk art it's all about surface, and this piece with its original mustard paint does not disappoint!

 

This metal "bannerette" with original gold gilt paint has got it all!   Hanging above the end of the bannerette is an extremely rare "heart and hand" pen wipe -- ivory leather gloves with ruffles at the wrists and red hearts.   This is the piece I would have most loved to hide in my suitcase and bring back with me!

 

     Uncle Sam stands watch at the door frame entering the family room from the formal living room . . . also filled with pieces not to be believed!

As a result of the sudden death of my new Sub-Zero (a painful and expensive death), I gained more display space above my new refrigerator and decided it was the perfect opportunity to expand my collection of German spice chests.

  I decided to be particularly choosey with any purchases and to wait until the nicest examples came up for sale.  This one in cherry fit the bill.  I had never seen one stencilled before.  It is also in old German script, which is one of my criteria.

 

 

          This one in oak is particularly charming with the carved top piece. 

 

I was thrilled to find this large walnut wall cabinet with little porcelain signs in old German script and pulls fashioned out of bone.  However, it didn't occur to me until I took this photograph that the cabinet may be for medicinal herbs rather than kitchen spices.   It does have a drawer for fennel (Felchen), but the other drawers are not your typical cooking spices -- lilac, for instance.  I must ask Maria and Dieter their opinion.  Germans typically had apothecary chests similar to this in their house, although this is a particularly fine one.  Nonetheless, it will hang in my kitchen along with my other spice chests!

 

     Although this spice chest has no porcelain labels (only porcelain knobs), I love it because of its fine grain painting.