Victorian furniture sells for low prices

#Middlebury Large, ornate Victorian furniture is selling for low prices at auctions for many reasons. Houses are smaller and bedrooms have more windows and closets, so there are fewer ... Continue Reading →

Decorative screens can act as giant paintings

#Middlebury Decorative screens were being used in rooms in China by the 7th century. But they were not used in Europe until the 1500s. It wasn’t until the 17th century that they ... Continue Reading →

Bell toys were made after Civil War

#Middlebury Bell toys, a type of pull toy that had moving parts that rang a bell, were made in America just after the Civil War. The Gong Bell Co. of Connecticut made the first one. ... Continue Reading →

Collectors like folk-art cupboards

#Middlebury Most Americans in the 17th and early 18th centuries had very small houses with no clothes closets and little storage space. Storage consisted of built-in corners, shelf ... Continue Reading →

Unique weather vane has tennis racquet, ball

#Middlebury #Kovels Tennis started in the 12th century and was played without a racquet. The ball was hit with the hand. It was not until the 16th century that the game was called ... Continue Reading →

Antique wooden Uncle Sam has value

#Middlebury #Kovels   Uncle Sam wearing a blue tailcoat with stars, red striped pants, a red striped top hat and sporting a beard and goatee is not the first symbol for the United ... Continue Reading →

Shell-shaped decorative objects were once popular

#Middlebury #Kovels Shell-shaped decorative objects were very popular during the 19th century. There were trinket boxes covered in tiny shells, counter bells made with several mother-of-pearl ... Continue Reading →

‘Cabinet of curiosities’ held unusual items

#Middlebury #Kovels “Cabinet of curiosities” was the name of an important room in the 1600s and, years later, a “cabinet of curiosities” meant just a cabinet. The room often ... Continue Reading →

Yellow fan clock dates to 1950s

#Middlebury #Kovels   Some of the most popular clocks made after 1944 in the mid-century modern style were designed by an architect and journalist. George Nelson (1908-1986) ... Continue Reading →

Bed post doll is folk art

#Middelbury #Kovels Dolls have been favored toys for centuries. Long before there were manufactured china, metal or plastic-headed dolls, there were wooden, rag and even dried-apple ... Continue Reading →