Collecting Antique Tape Looms

Here is the most common form of a antique tape loom you will see for sale. A simple country piece, this was gripped between the knees and used to weave tapes. You might ask, what are tapes and why would you bother? Think back, way back to the early Colonial days. The Colonists did not have zippers and Velcro to hold their clothes together. And buttons had to be store bought with cash money, in short supply for most farmers. They used tapes, narrow strips of fabric to tie their clothes together, their shirts, pants, skirts etc. They also used tape to edge petticoats, and quilts and sometimes vests etc. Tape was usually woven at home by the ladies of the family. Tape looms were often portable, such as the one above so you could work were there was light, and you could carry them with you and visit with a friend while you worked. Tapes were usually made of linen or wool.

Here is a link to a darling video of a colonial lady weaving on her tape loom,
http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/activities/media.jsp?itemid=7848&img=0

Here's another simple country model we had last year. Notice that one end is broken off, this is very very common to see. The wood is thin, and after time gets brittle. Notice also that this one has a brace across it. Again, it is very common to see these pieces broken and repaired. They were used hard and look how thin the slots are.

Again, looks like another simple country piece. But look below.

This one was covered with compass work, hearts, dates and initials. Someone loved this piece.

Here is a beauty, again a simple country piece, but this one has a great lollipop end, and a red wash. Made of chestnut, which is unusual. They were often pine, sometimes maple. Most are found in NE, and sometimes in PA. I've never seen one from somewhere south, but I'm sure they're out there. Notice if you can it has a brace at the bottom to hold the slits together.

Here we get into the realm of fantasy. There are some truly amazing works of art out there. This one has some old repairs, a figural form and a heart to boot. A lover's gift?

A small form, scratch carved, and dated. Swedish, I think.

Connecticut, c 1740, beautiful.

Pocket size, dated 1781, Scandinavian.

They made standing models too. Probably a little easier to use. I wish I could show you the one I had at Nashville, standing with a big heart shaped cutout. Sadly, no pictures. Sold too fast. I wonder why?

If you don't care for country, there are a few fancier models. Look at this one!

They also made table models as well, called box looms. These simple country forms are around.

Another box loom, this one in old paint. For some reason you almost never see tape looms in paint. Look at the love birds!

Here's a box loom on legs with treadles. Nice!

And if you want one to use, maybe a new one would be best. Craftsmen are still making them. I wonder how she wove that pattern?

I could not find a picture of the African ones that are now found on the antiques market. They're out there, they're very simple country pieces, with good color, but they are quite crudely made like the guy used a jack knife. They're old, but they're not American, so if you want one, don't pay too much.

How much is too much you ask. Simple country American ones sell for $300 up to maybe $800. Standing ones start at about $1,000. and go up. And add a date, a heart etc. and expect to pay more. For one of the truly unique finds I've shown, well you could buy a car instead. There was a beauty a few years ago covered in gorgeous chip carving and old blue paint, and I think it was about $30,000.

So there you go, everything you wanted to know about collection antique tape looms. Questions? You know where I am, so ask.

Wethersfield, CT Antique Show

Isn't this a charming entrance to the show? This late November show is in an historic area SW of Hartford called Wethersfield. A great place to visit historic houses if you are here in the summer.

I'm just posting  a few of my favorite booths at this very pretty show. Here is Steve Cirillo, The Paisley Pineapple Antique. Nice cupboard, no?

Another favorite, Jan and John Maggs, www.jmaggs.com That little joint stool could sure go home with me.

This great booth belongs to Carol Wojtkun www.carolsearlyamericanantiques.com  Amongst all the great stuff, I admire the way she made a group of all the same variety stone fruit in her compote, just as if you just came home from the market.

I don't know if I'd pick the highboy or the QA mirror, too many nice choices. This is the booth of Brian Bartizek, South Windham CT.

Isn't this just the best? I love the way they even decorate the ladies for the show. Makes a necessity a pleasure.

Wish I had time to picture everyone at the show, it was all great. If you can next November, come and enjoy.

Walker Homestead Show

Aren't they cute? These were "customers" at the Walker Homestead show last weekend.

 

Here is the line at 9 a.m. We opened at 10 a.m.

Here is Kris the owner of these beautiful properties welcoming customers.

 Here is a row of booths where we were.

Here are some pics of our booth.

Here is the booth of our friend Sue Wirth shared with her daughter Molly.

Here is Kris's great old garden shop.
Kathleen McStay Foynes paying for her table in another cute booth.

This show mixed antiques and crafts. Here are some great penny rugs.

Some dealers relaxing in the afternoon.

Friend Karen Oberg trying to get set up on Friday. Kris's fine old house in the background.

Really beautiful hooked rugs by Michelle Harter in this booth.

Gardens, chickens, delicious food and a bluegrass band that played ALL day and were great. What else could you want from a show? Oh lets not forget dealer friends and customer friends, hello again to Edith and Jack from Texas. A fun day was had by all.

Tour of the old Gaol in York, ME

Here is a picture of my friend Marion in the stocks in front of the old Gaol. The gaol was first a stone building in the 17th C., and later in the 18th C. it was added onto with living quarters for the jailer and his wife. She has to cook for her family and the prisoners. There was quite a bit of info about how jails were used in the old days, as short term holding cells, until their trial and sentence, hanging, branding, flogging etc. The idea was to get their punishment over with so they could get back to work for the community needed every one's contribution.

Here's one of the 18th C. cells with a cobbler's bench. This was so he could work and pay off his debts. Look at the great early light. Sorry I did not get any pics of the 17th C area, so dark, the windows were only 8" square. No glass, so I guess it was pretty cold in the winter.

Here's a favorite from the jailer's family quarters.I can't wait to try one of my cutting boards this way, as a game table. Here the children were learning to count.

Again in the 18th C part, a built in privy that drains to the outdoors. What luxury!

Here's Marion posing next to an idiot's chair, a sad commentary on the treatment of the mentally ill in the old days. Look at the holes for tying the person in, and tying it to the floor. And of course the potty underneath.

I thought you'd like this "ancient" treen plate from the museum area.

Tour of Plymouth

On our way south from Maine, we decided to spend a day and tour a classic New England piece of history. We went to Plymouth, MA. I did not go to Plimouth Plantation, as I have been there before, but I do recommend you go if you're in the area. We viewed the Plymouth rock, OK, its a rock, and toured the Mayflower 2, an accurate copy of the famous ship that brought the pilgrim here.

What a pretty view, no? Next we went to the famous Pilgrim Hall, a museum showing many of the pilgrim's actual possessions, and a lot of great information about their lives and the era.

A great early carved chest and carver type chair.

A fabulous writing box from Holland, inlaid with shell. Look at the early glasses and their carved wooden case.

Another early chair, a wainscot style this time, and a great large gateleg table.

After that we hiked around town, saw the sarcophagus that commemorates the burial after dark of the first settlers who died. This was done to hide from the Indians the terrible loss of life. Further up the hill we walked through the early graveyard, so lonely and beautiful. 

 Aren't these sweet, leaning together in death as in life.

Of course after all of this hiking about,  we needed lunch. Here is the view from our table at the Lobster Hut. Great shore lunch, sweetest scallops I think I've ever had.

 Then we got the car and visited a few old houses. Here is the Howland house.

Here is a great old broom I thought you'd like, the top is bound up with fishing twine.

And here is a great rush light we found in the parlor. Isn't it great? Wish I could have bought it, but no, its a museum Judi!

Here is the earliest remaining house, the Sparrow house. I'm only showing you the exterior, as the interior was pretty dire.

After that we went home and collapsed. What a great time, looking at all that American history, it makes you feel so in touch with the old days. I'm glad I wasn't a Pilgrim, but I am proud that they were our ancestors. If you want to read a riveting book about their trials and tribulations, read Mayflower by Nathaniel Philbrick.  It's kind of hard to read, I kept having to put it down for a day or two, as he wrote so clearly that I felt their difficulties keenly.

Don't you love history?