Assessment and Pictures By Z.G. Burnett
SAGAMORE, MASS. — The Cape Cod Vintage Sellers Affiliation performed its second annual Summer season Sagamore Antiques Present on the Sagamore Inn, proper on the border of Sandwich, Mass., on July 6. Narrowly escaping the downpours that dampened Independence Day on July 4, the present was bathed in sunshine with sellers and clients alike grateful for the tri-pole tent’s shade. The vast majority of distributors reported robust gross sales, marking the present’s return to the Sagamore Inn as successful.
Because of the present’s Cape location, sellers are inclined to deal with nautical or beach-related objects however complement these with Americana, folks artwork and different items. Patricia “Trish” Ferrara of Ten-Mile Antiques, Attleboro, Mass., introduced an array of valuable smalls and jewellery in glass-topped instances, in addition to some bigger vintage items. The standout piece was a three-quarter size, tabletop-sized oil on board portrait of an unidentified Union Military lieutenant colonel. Ferrara defined that it got here from a home in Massachusetts, however had no different details about the topic’s identification. The picture is intriguing for a number of causes; though painted portraits had been the norm for individuals who might afford it as much as this time, early pictures was quickly taking maintain and a inexpensive various for illustration. Trendy viewers are accustomed to seeing the proliferation of Civil Struggle troopers’ pictures which have come right down to us on this manner, however the ironic benefit of this portrait is that we will see this nameless man in “residing” coloration. At press time, he was nonetheless obtainable for buy.
Alan Herman of Whaling Days Antiques, New Bedford, Mass., introduced a choice of scrimshaw, inlaid treasures and some daring classic indicators from and across the Cape. Herman talked about that these are at all times common, and certainly he bought a number of giant and small indicators. These included a hand-painted ice cream signal with an inventory of “particular flavors” that after hung in Yarmouth, Mass., a wall-sized signal from Rhode Island promoting fried clams, hamburgers and ice cream, and a few smaller indicators. This got here as no shock, because the graphic ads had been good for the season and gave one a hankering for frosty treats.
Occupying the middle of the tent was Dolores Gilbert of Brewster, Mass., who embellished the primary tentpole with paper flowers as a centerpiece to her surrounding tables of vintage and classic vogue equipment, residence items and dolls. One such desk was dominated by an outsized duck decoy from the Nineteen Forties-60s in apparently unique paint that bought through the present, “too quick!” Gilbert believed that it might have been a confidence decoy; it could even have been a showpiece for a decoy carver. Both manner, it had “an important look” and was fairly priced at $295. Gilbert reported that gross sales exceeded her expectations, and her sales space was “worn out.”
Kay Linkkila, Orleans, Mass., “had an excellent present despite the warmth!” Amongst her backyard and cement items sat an vintage aqua glass demijohn wrapped in a protecting wicker protecting, with a warning on its tag to not carry it up by the delicate deal with. There are totally different opinions within the early glass neighborhood about eradicating these outer coverings; though it disassembles a previous artisan’s intricate weavings, the wicker additionally conceals particulars that might assist decide the bottle’s age. This protecting was clear regardless of its deal with, and possibly later than the bottle. Linkkila reported gross sales together with a number of out of doors objects, a basket, a pantry field and a sheep portray.
Henry T. Callan of East Sandwich, Mass., introduced a superb choice of ceramics, Staffordshire figures, export and Canton ware, amongst different treasures. One octagonal plate stood out, and never simply because it was displayed on a central stand. Displaying a dappled palette of brown, inexperienced and cream, the circa 1750 Whieldon refined earthenware plate was in wonderful situation for its age. Referred to as “clouded” and “tortoiseshell” refined earthenware, this impact is produced with steel oxides akin to iron, copper and manganese being utilized to biscuit-fired ceramics. Comparable examples had been produced by different makers as early as 1740 and remained common all through the 1770s in Nice Britain.
Earlier than the times of seaside estates and summer time houses with private leisure facilities akin to miniature theaters, beachgoers discovered artistic methods to go the time with their sandy souvenirs. Paula Deane of Cat’s Meow Antiques, Mashpee, Mass., introduced quite a lot of such keepsakes. One small however placing piece was a three-dimensional sculpture or collage of seaweed, shells and half a woven gathering basket, mounted in an oval body. It was fantastically preserved, as these supplies normally disintegrate over time. Extra fragile was an earlier paper field that had been painstakingly decoupaged with print cutouts and all various kinds of shells. Deane was happy with the setup of the second present, and was blissful to go to different sellers that she had not seen for years.
Laura McCarthy of Bayberry Antiques, Rockland, Mass., created a popup Americana gallery in her sales space with superb artwork, folks artwork and nation antiques. The centerpiece was a Nineteenth Century portrait of a child or younger baby in a proper white cotton robe, detailed with pointelle embroidery that was echoed by the paint’s texture. The portray was unsigned however attributed to itinerant artist Joseph Goodhue Chandler (1813-1884), and McCarthy dated it to 1840-50. Chandler’s earliest identified portraits date to 1837, and had been primarily of his relations. In 1840 Chandler married fellow artist and established nonetheless life painter Lucretia Ann Waite (1820-1868), who would typically “end up” Chandler’s portraits. One other outstanding providing was an 1804 sampler in wonderful situation by Martha Bunnell of Litchfield, Conn. McCarthy famous that Bunnell lived from 1792 to 1867, and by no means married.
Later antiques and pastimes had been additionally obtainable. Gary Jennings of Rehoboth, Mass., introduced vintage books, baseball and different collectible playing cards, postcards and a set of early images. Neatly organized by location and topic had been Magic Lantern slides in a drawer, which had been going quick. These had been largely dated circa 1880 and would have been considered with a carbon arc viewer, which produced a high-intensity white gentle for higher picture projection however had been extremely liable to combustion. With these slides, viewers might increase their horizons from a mannequin pepper farm in New Jersey all the way in which to the Philippines.
The Sagamore Inn is at 1131 Sandwich Street. The Cape Cod Vintage Sellers Affiliation Summer season Vintage Present in Orleans, Mass., shall be on August 5. For extra data, www.ccada.com.