Woodenware
Wood is soft and ages quickly with exposure to the elements, making dating difficult. An obvious characteristic of wood is its propensity to dry as it ages, becoming lighter and acquiring a smooth and satiny texture. Patina is a subtler attribute that can denote antiquity. Desirable and imposable to duplicate artificially, the patina is the result of years of exposure to air, smoke, handling, and dirt.
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Architectural FragmentsDated artistically produced building materials create ambiance that exudes imagination and tradition. Time-honored techniques give origin to customary forms to be skillfully arranged producing original works.
Baskets and ContainersBaskets have been made and utilized since ancient times. Weight and type of objects determined the shapes and sizes of the baskets. Heavy splint field baskets were used in harvesting fruits and vegetables; replaceable wooden cleats were often attached to protect the bottoms against dragging. The bottoms of baskets meant to hold fragile items had raised centers to keep the contents from rolling around, and to distributed the weight toward the sides. Baskets used inside the home were lighter; sewing baskets had a close weave to keep small objects and often one or more inside pockets.
Boxes and ChestsFunctionally imperative, early American boxes were often highly decorated and usually fabricated from wood. Most boxes were imported from, or crafted in the same tradition as the colonists' English counterparts. Significant production of wooden boxes commenced in late 18th century America as Shaker and Pennsylvania Dutch craftsman in particular fashioned distinctive pieces with unique style.
CarvingsClose-grained wood is necessary for detailed carvings. Lime is a soft close-grained wood that was considered the best carving medium. Oak, although used extensively for furniture construction from the Middle Ages until the mid 17th century, is opened grained making detailed work imposable. Mahogany imported to Europe from the West Indies was hard and close-grained; requiring tempered steel tools to carve. Pine and beech were often used on pieces to be gilded.
Columns and PillarsGreek and Roman architecture supported roofs through the combination beams and columns. Roman republicanism began to be replaced in the 1830s by a fondness for Greek revival as Americans had come to understand that the origins of Roman culture had emerged from Greece. The Greek War of Independence between 1821 and 1830 created sympathy and awareness. New towns sprang up across the United States with names like, Aurora, Troy, Rome, Olympia, and Athens.
CorbelsWood corbels is most commonly defined as a projecting support, which bears a parapet or beam. Often corbels are ornately decorated, with figural carvings and foliage being frequent artist themes.
Shelves and BracketsUsed to display household items, small hanging shelves were often made at home since woodworking was a common skill, and wood was readily available. Generally ornate, fretwork, carving, incising and painting were common techniques used to decorate shelves. Dating small hanging shelves can be challenging due to the longevity of their popularity among home craftsmen, examining the hardware used in construction can help.
TreenSmall wooden objects of antiquity are known as treen. Originally turned on treadle-operated lathes, valuable decorative turned pieces were made starting in the 17th century. Turning is an ancient practice with Egyptian examples dating as far back as the twelfth century BC. In Germany, turners established their own guild independent of woodworkers in 1180, and turnery has been practiced continuously ever since.
