figure 183  Graining combs, America or England, 1820–1880. Wood and metal.
(Private collection

Sample Box and Ten Panels, ca. 1820–30
Moses Eaton, Jr. (American, 1796–1886)
Dublin, Cheshire County, New Hampshire
Paint on pine with brass handle
Lent by the American Folk Art Museum, Anonymous gift and gift of the Richard Coyle Lilly Foundation 1980.28a-k

Sample Box, ca. 1840–60
New Hampshire or Vermont
Painted wood
Lent by a private collection
Graining Combs, dates unknown
America or England
Metal
Lent by a private collection

Chest with three drawers, North Carolina, 1780–1810 and ca. 1830. Poplar, pine, brass, iron, and later painted decoration. (Courtesy, Robert and Michelle White.)

Nathan Overton,
corner cupboard, Randolph County, North Carolina, 1820–1835. Yellow
pine and painted decoration. (Courtesy, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.)

Chimney or wall cupboard, probably Connecticut, ca. 1825. Poplar and painted decoration. (Private collection)

figure 22  Chest with drawer, Rhode Island, ca. 1830. Pine and painted decoration. H. 37‡÷•", W. 45‹÷¢", D. 19˛÷¢". (Private collection; photo, Gavin Ashworth.)

Philip H. Saunders, work table, Danvers, Massachusetts, 1820–1840. Pine and painted and smoke-grained decoration. H. 29‹÷¢", W. 18", D. 16‹÷¢". (From the Collections of Henry Ford Museum & Green€eld Village.) Written on the underside of the top drawer is: “P H Saunders/Mill St Danvers.”

Rufus PorterText Panel:
Stencils were not only used by women for ornamenting household goods, they were frequently employed by professional decorators for ornamenting architecture, furniture, and a host of smaller objects.
Stencilling was commonly applied directly to plaster, where its bold appearance was often likened to colorfully printed wallpapers. In furniture, more elaborate patterns were sometimes used. The most ornate examples depended upon detailed patterns. The use of bronze powders in contrasting colors, rather than paint, made it possible to give the ornament added depth and a more realistic appearance.


Landscape Painting
Text Panel:
Landscape scenes were popular for ornamenting walls and furniture. Imaginary compositions were generally preferred. These made it possible to "richly embellish" reality and to "excel nature itself in picturesque brilliancy." There were practical reasons to let imagination run wild, as well. The limitations of a square room, or the confines of a chair back, made it impossible to copy most real landscapes verbatim. "The trees...should be so arranged...as to...fill up such space...as could not be otherwise conveniently occupied," wrote Rufus Porter.