William & Mary blanket/mule chest

[mart]

Ha !!  Added his own touch perhaps ??

[jacon4]

Well, i have asked around, no one seems to know what the deal is on squiggles except that they are there. You see them on all sorts of different pieces, tables, chests, court cupboards, etc. This chest was built in Connecticut but, i have seen this sort of decoration on pieces built in Mass. as well so it was more than a regional thing. It appears Americans were into squiggles for whatever reason.

[frogpatch]

Pardon me for my lateness in adding to the discussion but I am totally blown away by that piece. I wish I could see it in person. Is it any where near the Jersey Shore or still in CT? Glad it wasn't here or it might not be anymore.

[jacon4]

Hey frogpatch, It was in Connecticut, Woodbury to be exact but it is now here with me safely ensconced in Charlotte NC. This piece has great presence, the photo does not do it justice, a wonderful example of early americana, a true survivor. If you ever find yourself in the Carolinas, give me a shout as i am always up to let folks see my collection and talk old furniture.

LOL and no, you cant take the chest with you

[mart]

 Do I hear road trip coming up Frogpatch ??

[frogpatch]

Hmmm. Low country cooking. She crab soup. Carolina BBQ with that vinegar mop sauce is the best. Sorry all you other southern folks but a Carolina pulled pork sandwich is awesome especially with slaw on it. I only know Ralph's but I here that there are many even better  I am heading to Florida soon to recover my storage so a side trip may be in order. Jacon4 are you in NC or SC?  Near the coast or inland? I have been dying to see Charlotte and Charleston. 

[jacon4]

Charlotte NC, on the border of SC, about 3 hrs away from Charleston SC. The best bar b q in the carolinas is, Lexington #1 in Lexington NC, about an hour north of Charlotte. They smoke 300 pork shoulders a day there, double that on the weekend, KILLER Q!

[frogpatch]

I am backing up my PC tonight so I do not lose that. Awesome.

[mart]

I expect a full report when you get back !! With pics !! 

[Rauville]

You have the focal point of a collection in that one piece...very nice.

I found it interesting (attached link) to see what it cost to have a chest painted back in the early 1800's...Wow, $4.70!
That was probably a month's worth of groceries for most folks.

http://www.folkartmuseum.org/?t=images&id=3512

[jacon4]

Yeah, once upon a time, painting was a distinct trade done by professionals who made their own paint. When paint in a can came out sometime around the 1850s, everyone was now a painter and the paint tradesmen fell on hard times i would imagine.

[cogar]

Well, i have asked around, no one seems to know what the deal is on squiggles except that they are there. You see them on all sorts of different pieces, tables, chests, court cupboards, etc.

Well now, "squiggles" are a good way to clean excess paint from the brush, .... are decorative .... and doesn't waste the paint.

They are also good for camouflaging a mistake.

[jacon4]

lol cogar, somehow, i dont think thats it. Some have speculated that it may have been a substitute for carving but i dont think thats correct either. This chest had no carving but i have seen other pieces with both carving & squiggles. The squiggle thing is odd, no doubt but, it keeps things interesting trying to figure out why they did that.

[cogar]

Well then Jacon, ..... maybe if you could contact the artist who painted these "squiggles" and ask them what their significance is, to wit:



Or the artist who painted these  "squiggles", to wit: 



 

[bigwull]

Well, i have asked around, no one seems to know what the deal is on squiggles except that they are there. You see them on all sorts of different pieces, tables, chests, court cupboards, etc.

Well now, "squiggles" are a good way to clean excess paint from the brush, .... are decorative .... and doesn't waste the paint.

They are also good for camouflaging a mistake.

Yeah!,and just like Artex..they hide a multitude of sins....