April 1, 2014
Did you know that April 9th is National Cherish an Antique Day? That’s not an April Fool’s joke either! Celebrate by admiring the antiques you have, particularly those passed down through your family. Consider rearranging so that you can display an antique that’s been languishing in a closet or the attic. And, if you find something in need of restoration or repair, Bob and Cecil will be at work that day—despite the holiday. J
Our featured item this month is the caned child’s chair. In America and Europe, craftsmen began using woven cane furniture as early as the 17th century, but it wasn’t until about 1820 that cane bottom chairs became popular here. In the 1820s, America was expanding, new technologies and industrialization were advancing, and the middle class was growing. Americans needed a lot of furniture, and factories started mass-producing chairs. The frames were built in the factory and sent out to weavers who did the caning at home. When the frames came back, the chairs were quickly assembled. Thousands of cane bottom chairs were built during the peak of their popularity in the late 1800s. Nineteenth century British novelist and poet William Makepeace Thackeray wrote the following about his caned chair, “But of all the cheap treasures that garnish my nest, There is one that I love and I cherish the best: For the finest of couches that’s padded with hair I never would change thee, my cane-bottom’d chair.” Imagine how he would appreciate this chair since it’s not only the bottom, but also the back, that is caned! See more photos and those of our other recent acquisitions at http://irongateantiques.com/recent-acquisitions/.
Now that it’s spring again, we’re back to our regular hours, which are 10 until 6, Tuesday through Saturday, and noon until 5 on Sunday, though someone is usually there on Mondays, too. Those of you who have followed us on Facebook may have noticed that Bob opened the store on several Sundays over the winter, though it was supposed to be his day off. (Next winter I guess I’ll need to come up with a longer “honey-do” list . . .) We will even be open on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday for your convenience.
Speaking of Easter, we hear the Easter Bunny will be at Great Country Farm on April 5th & 6th for photos, an egg hunt and a peep harvest; adults with a military ID and children under 2 are free. The Bluemont Vineyard will host a 5K race on trails and gravel roads entirely within the vineyard on April 6th; all runners will receive a t-shirt and a wine glass, and those who are over 21 will also get a free wine tasting. Proceeds from the race, which concludes with a 350’ elevation increase in the last half mile, benefit the Loudoun Free Clinic. See http://bluemontvineyard.com/951_5k.html for more details.
Have a great spring!
Lynne & Bob McCann