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M. FORD CREECH ANTIQUES & FINE  ARTS

 

www.mfordcreech.com

 

ANTICIPATION : ADVENT

 


 

                                                                           

 

THE PREPARATION

 

"Anticipation" and "Preparation" are at the heart of the "Advent Season" -

looking forward to the wondrous coming celebrations and events ... while reflecting a bit on events past.

The Advent Season begins in Western churches the 4th Sunday before Christmas, ending on Christmas Eve.

 

( Of course, as merchants, we begin our "anticipation" a bit earlier! )

 

 


A BIT MORE 'ROOM AT THE INN' :

Small Stools & Tables for Unexpected Guests


 

 

Good George II Irish Carved Mahogany Stool

Ireland, c1750

The shell headed legs with c-scrolls and ending in trefid feet;

good oxidized leather stuff-over upholstery

18" High x 21.15" Wide x 16" Deep

 

Scare George I Walnut & Walnut Veneered Oval Stool

England, c1720

With early (possibly period) needlework covering

Oval Stools are quite rare; we are pleased to offer this one.

17.75” High x 22 Long x 18.25” Deep

 

 

 

 Pair of William & Mary Walnut Stools

England, c1695

With tapestry-covered stuff-over seats, raised on block turned legs and stretchers,

the lowest leg block with vertical applied geometric moldings;

19" High x 20.75" Long x 18" Deep / 18.5" High x 20" Long x 17.75"Deep

 


 

Until circa 1700, the use of stools at the dining table was usual.

In fact during the first half of the 18th century, celebrative dining was usually grazed (shall we say)

from a large table, the guests seated about on a combination of chairs and stools,

as shown below in "A Dinner Party", c1725, by Marcellus Laroon the Younger. 

There is always a place for stools, even in established households - beneath a table, in a corner or hall.

Without taking up space, stools gracefully accommodate extra guests -- and children.

 

 

.... And For THE Special Child - or Grandchild :


 

 

Rare William & Mary Walnut and Yewwood Caned Child's High Chair

England, c1695

The caned back and seat over turned legs ending in Braganza feet;

the bar and footrest 19th century safety additions,

as in the 17th century, a child would simply have been tied in with a tea towel

43.5"High x 14.75" Wide x 18.5" Deep

 


... SMALL TABLES :


 

 

 Fine George III Rosewood &Mahogany Quartetto

Nest of Tables, England, c1810

Having rich color, the crossbanded tops raised on

"bamboo-turned" legs and carved overscrolled bases

raised on turned toupie feet

With minor variations to top and leg, as pictured in

George Smith's Household Furniture, 1808

28.5" High x 19" Wide x 18.75" Deep (The Largest)

Good George III Mahogany "Spider Leg Table"

England, c1765

With single drop leaf over slender turned legs and incurving

front stretched connected by blocks; heavy timbers

This unique form represents the last of the gateleg tables

produced during the first half of the 18th century.

The incurving legs accommodate the sitter's knees.

27.5" High x 36" Wide x 35" Deep (open)


 

 

George I / II Diminutive Mahogany Fold-Over Demi-Lune Card Table

England, c1730-40

Of "uncommon" half-round small form in heavy dense Cuban timbers

with tapering lappet headed legs, retaining early surfaces with beautiful patination,

the top of solid mahogany, the frieze veneered;

of small size of regular 27.5" seating height,

and small diameter, being only 27" round when open.

An almost identical walnut example is shown in British Antique Furniture (Andrews), Pl. 333,

cited as "highly desirable" for a collector. 

27.5" High x 27" Wide (Open), 13.25" Deep (Closed)

 


 

Likewise these small tables were designed to tuck away and serve multiple purposes throughout the home.

"Quartetto tables" were introduced by Thomas Sheraton c1800,

with suggested uses for "desserts, needlework and writing".

George Smith assigned them to drawing rooms, where

"they prevent company from rising from their seats when taking refreshment".

 


.... Old Ways for NEW Warmth :

Buckets & Brasses


 

 

 

 

George III Irish Brass-Bound Mahogany Large Peat Bucket

Ireland, c1800-1820

Of quite large size, the staved coopered bucket horizontally reeded in the Irish manner with fine brass bandings and handle,

black painted liner

18.75" High (not including handle) x 15.25" Wide

 

George III Brass-Bound Mahogany Plate Bucket

England, c1790

Of heavy timber with wonderful patination,

of usual staved tapering form form with vertical plate removal slot,

original reeded brass mounts, and T-shaped attachments

16" High  x 14.5" Wide

 


 

Early Fires were often fueled by peat, which was transported in lined buckets to the hearth. 

 Conversely, plates were often transported from the warmth of the kitchen to the table in unlined buckets

Today these buckets can provide the same services - or put to a myriad of other uses.

The large peat buckets : small logs at the hearth; umbrella  and cane stands at the door; quite large wastepaper baskets.

   The smaller plate bucket : will hold all your Christmas catalogs; with a liner the perfect size for a wastepaper basket.

Either would make an elegant and heavy weight stand for your Christmas tree!

 

 

 

 

 

Rare George III Engraved Brass

 Footman / Trivet

England, c1780

Ref : A trivet of identical form and with slightly differing top engraving

is described as "rare and desirable"

14" High x 12" Wide x 11.5" Deep

 

George III Brass & Iron Trivet

England, mid-late 18th Century

Of good large size -

The top intricately pierced with

a lower heart-shaped rack

Suitable for a chairside table

16.25” High x 15” Wide x 14” Deep

 

George III Unusual Brass Cast & Engraved

Footman / Trivet

England, 18th / Early 19th Century

with lower plate rack,

the top pierced and engraved with a mythical scene with nature spirits and animals

10" High x 14.5" Long x 9.25" Deep

 


 

Trivets, often referred to as "footmen", sat on the hearth, usually with the back legs in the fire,

 keeping the pots, kettles of food, and dishes warm.

The lower rails shown above were used to hold the plates.

They can also make excellent "indestructible" chairside tables, plant-stands and stools. 

I keep one for seating in front of my fireplace, to catch the fire warmth on colder days.

 


.... And for Moments of QUIET Reflection :


 

 

Good George I Carved Gesso & Giltwood Looking Glass

England, c1720

The gilt and very thin plate original and in excellent condition;

the pierced broken arch pediment of leaves and c-scrolls centering a plumed shield above a rectangular plate;

the shaped base with further carved leaves,

45" High x 24" Wide Overall / The Plate : 27.5" x 17.5"

 


 

 

Fine Regency Ebonized & Giltwood Diminutive Convex Girandole Mirror

England, c1810

Surmounted by an ebonized eagle and brass, gilt gesso and cut glass candlearms

Original gilt, eagle and girandoles; antique replaced mirror plate 

I usually prefer much flat mirrors but found this small convex example completely irresistible.

Additionally, the most collectible of the convex mirrors are the quite large - or the quite small.

30" High x 21" Wide Over Bobeches / Plate 11.5" Diameter

 


    

 

The 'Annunciation', the 'Nativity' and the 'Journey of the Magi' have inspired

some of the most extraordinary art in the history of mankind.

From the more stoic medieval art to the full blown renaissance, the examples are rich and myriad. 

We have chosen three works to illustrate this celebrative Christmas season.

Each is remarkable in its own way.

 

We begin with the magical 'Annunciation of Cortona', the altarpiece shown above,

 painted by Fra Angelico, tempera on panel, executed 1433-34.

 

 

In this unusual detail, the Angel Gabriel speaks to the Virgin :

"The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee."

The Virgin replies, her word in reversed letters, upside down, in the center :

"Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word"/

 

 


 

 To view larger representations  and a few details on this altarpiece, please click here or on the images above.

For the details on the furnishings, please click on titles or images.

 


 

And the best of Christmas and holiday wishes to you, 

 

Millicent Creech

Caroline Harrison

Keith Rainer

   

 


 

Please click below for our other Christmas Catalogs :

 

 

Anticipation : The Gift

 

 

Anticipation : The Celebration

  

 


 

 

901-761-1163 (gallery) / 901-827-4668 (cell)

 

581 S. PERKINS ROAD / LAURELWOOD COLLECTION / MEMPHIS, TN 38117

Hours : Wed.-Sat. 11-6, or by appointment

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

 

mfcreech@bellsouth.net  or  mfordcreech@gmail.com

www.mfordcreech.com

 

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"Anticipation" : Preparing the Home for Christmas Guests / Small Stools & Tables / Buckets & Brasses / Mirrors