In the early to mid 1830s, Andrew Jackson bought extensive amounts of
furniture for his home, the Hermitage, outside of Nashville. He made most
of his purchases in New Orleans, but the bulk of it was actually made in
Philadelphia (check with Marsha Mullin at the Hermitage for more info, or
visit their web site). And, it would be fair to say, he was very conscious
of the latest tastes, and would have himself been striving to be considered
fashionable. The vast majority is in the so-called Empire taste - not the
light Lannuier and Duncan Phyfe stuff of the early 19th C, but the heavy
stuff that has never really found a great resale market. Of all periods of
historic American furniture, these types of pieces are generally the least
expensive, so you are in luck! I agree with a previous comment that you
probably can buy the originals for less than repros, but I haven't followed
the market recently (when I was in grad school, I was buying chests of
drawers from this period for $15-$25 or so, including a butler's desk dated
1838 - I actually have a half dozen or so that are still stored in a barn,
much the worse off for wear, I'm sure). You may even find folks in your
area that would donate some of the pieces you need. I probably would if you
were closer and my pieces were in display condition. And, definitely,
rococo revival was later, the earliest beginning in the 1840s, but not
catching on until later. Good luck!
Marc
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4 Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT 06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments & Surveys
*Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control
*Moisture Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Collections Care Grant Preparation
*Conservation Treatment of:
Furniture
Painted Wood
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Architectural Interiors
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Heidi Campbell-Shoaf" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] 1825-40's Lavish furniture on a little budget??
> Where in Va are you? And how small of a budget do you have? For the time
> period your thinking of Rococo Revival is a little late - I'd recommend
> Empire aka Classical Revivial mixed with some Gothic Revivial or late
> Neo-Classical items. Fortunately, in general, antique furniture is not as
> hot (price-wise) as it was so you might be able to find some decent old
> pieces for less than repros. There is a dealer in Strasburg, Va. called
> Vilnis that specializes in Empire pieces and last time I was there
> (earlier
> this year) he had several sideboards, mirrors, and other items on your
> list.
> I believe he has most of his pieces french polished which gives them the
> sheen they would have had originially and would add to the "expensive
> look"
> your going for.
>
> Heidi Campbell-Shoaf, Curator
> Historical Society of Frederick County
> 24 East Church Street
> Frederick, Md. 21701
> www.hsfcinfo.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf
> Of Sarah Gulick
> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 2:20 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: 1825-40's Lavish furniture on a little budget??
>
> Hello,
>
> We are working on a small entrance display for a historic building in
> Virginia. We are focussing on its use from 1828-1836. It was used as
> a business and the owners were very wealthy and trying to impress.
>
> Now the building houses a non-profit, and so our budget is not nearly
> so expansive! However, we would still like to evoke a sense of the
> historic time period and grandness.
>
> Can anyone suggest a resource for budget friendly furniture from this
> time period 1828-1836 (Jacksonian, Early Victorian, Rococo Revival).
> Replicas, reproductions, originals, we are open to ideas! We are
> looking for items for two displays:
>
> - side board, any length, table height, not more than 18" wide,
> shallower preferred. Also possibly mirror? coat rack? spittoon?
> umbrella rack? or anything appropriate for an entrance way and
> parlor during this time period
>
> - small desk for business use, and additional accessories, such as a
> ink, pen, light, etc
>
> After hours and hours on the internet, I have concluded this either
> doesn't exist, or requires ideas from more than just google ;-)
>
> Any suggestions offline would be greatly appreciated!!
>
> Thanks!!!
> Sarah
> [log in to unmask]
>
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