Posted 7 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
I have been meaning to post this for some time. I found this about six months ago at a high end estate sale featuring primitive furniture and more.
The backboard of this piece really tells the story. The fine chip carvings, rope columns, and the incision, "ANNO:LOHERNS:HARTMAN:1700".....amazing.
First lets look at the form. I have never seen a piece decorated in this style in the form of a wall shelf. However, if you look closely at the area supporting the shelf, and the fourth picture you can see that some damage was done. If you look under the shelf you can see that there are some "splinters" where something could have broken off.
My best guess goes something like this. I believe this to have been an early spoon rack. There are some similar examples found in Wallace Nutting's, "Furniture Treasury," Plates 4981-4992. In his description he talks about the spoon racks being found in Hackensack, NJ. A town very near to where I discovered this piece.
I believe the piece I have here was, initially, a spoon rack. It seems as if someone tugged too hard on the spoon holder strip and broke it off at some point in time. Being such a remarkable piece, a replacement was dovetailed in to place (see picture 4 again). To me, the style carved on the wall shelf piece does not match the backboard. It is too Asian inspired to me. And perhaps was copied and repaired around 1850-1900, when that style was popular. The dovetail fix seems to fit that time period as well.
The next point of discussion is whether or not the backboard is actually from 1700. It may be, or it may be a reproduction made in the 1800's. But looking at the whole picture it may be right. The wood is oak, quarter sawn. The patina seems different on the backboard compared to the shelf piece. The uneven what it was cut, one the back of the piece, also supports my case.
I have seen contemporary reproductions of spoon racks like this. They are quite good, actually, but they are usually done on very thick boards. This piece is very thin. I would love to hear other opinions on this piece. If needed I can add more pictures. Thank you for looking!
when I zoom in on this piece, I realize that the carving here is second to none. No matter when this was made, or where in the world, it is an amazing piece of art.
great detective work and really interesting piece! the shelf definitely looks like the work of a different craftsman at a different time period.
I agree with you ho2cultcha, thanks for your opinion, it strengthens the case! Have a great day!
Maybe a marriage piece.
Lohrens would have been the husband and Hartman the wife.
The year of marriage 1700.
The wood carving style to my eye is Frisian or German.
Made in the US or in Europe ???
Americana or an immigrant piece brought to the USA ???
Wood is ....... ???
I think it was meant to have a candlestick on the shelf.
The light would have illuminated the names.
It all looks original to me.
Beautiful dove-tail.
A treaure.
Hi vetraio, thanks for stopping in. When I first read your comment I thought you meant that the piece itself is a marriage. Now I see what you mean. It was a marriage gift. The style of the carving is indeed Frisian, but I am not sure if it was made here in the US or not. The wood is oak, I am almost sure of that. I am surprised you think the shelf is original, I still have my doubts. Maybe it is though, who knows. Thank you for commenting!!!!
It would be amazing if I could find some kind of marriage record. I did a quick search but nothing.
tassiedevil, ttom, jscott, jlmam, officalfuel, violet, aura, vetraio, mikelv, ho2, lee thanks for the loves.
I think he did mean the piece is a marriage...I think anyway. It looks like they are fighting each other a bit to me but the work is just amazing. I was thinking at first that one piece might have been a chair back. But then what would the other piece have been. I don't understand why they would do such beautifully detailed work, not to be seen? You wouldn't really see it if it were on the wall, I just don't know but it's gorgeous!
shareurpassion. I very much agree that the two pieces are fighting each other as you said. But I am not sure what you meant by "chair back". This is a small piece, only about 14 inches long and 6-8 inches wide. I do believe the chip carved backboard was part of a spoon rack or wall shelf as vetraio stated. This is a common form I will see if I can post a similar one.
Here is an example of a multi tiered spoon rack: http://www.loweryantiques.com/AC-MIC-3002.html
Here is a p-trest page with examples of spoon racks wall boxes and the like: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/49469295878846490/
fantastic carving!
thank you hotairfan for the kind words!!
rick55 thanks for the love!