These two photographs were taken the day after the blizzard, on my birthday. I spent most of the morning nursing my cold, but late in the afternoon the gentleman insisted we take a drive. The wind was blowing snow over the roads, filtering the late-day sun in the most extraordinary way. We ended up at a local antiques mall, known more for its piles of junque and used books than for fine antiques. Housed in an old chicken barn, the place is a family favorite and has yielded some real treasures over the years. With only 45 minutes before closing, we quickly scanned the booths, not expecting to find much. But then, out of the corner of his eye, the gentleman spotted the loveliest bird cage Windsor chair, c. 1810. The price was right (plus the 20% after-Christmas discount) ~ so happy birthday to me! Our first joint acquisition of a piece of furniture. After some research, the gentleman believes it to by Samuel Gragg of Boston, almost identical to this chair.
Exciting furniture finds aside, I have generally celebrated my birthdays without much fanfare. It is nice to have a day you can call your own, when you can selfishly revel in doing nothing. Sandwiched between Christmas and the New Year, my birthday is generally lost in the shuffle. Friends often apologize for passing it by, but honestly, I really like the quiet.
Posts
10 comments:
I agree with you about birthdays. Prefer myself to take the day off from work and spend the time doing something decadent - like a pedicure and a good couple of hours in a used bookstore. Glad you got to enjoy it your kind of way!
fun find!
Perfect in every way. Happy BDay, JCB and congratulations on your first together purchase. Wish you many more of both.
ps when talking earlier about Macallan 25, I meant the 18. At close to $700 the elder Macallan should be served just prior to last rites for believers and should BE the last rites for those of us who are not.
great post. i think i have shared with you my very similar thoughts about my birthday. it is a strange time of the year to say - wait, let's celebrate me - but it sounds like you succeeded in style. happy belated.
Happy belated birthday! Other than the cold, what a lovely way to spend the day itself. (And I couldn't agree with you more regarding birthdays. I feel the same about mine).
We have good friends who are Dutch and, in their culture, birthdays are the most important holiday and celebration. It trumps all others. A different attitude but not necessarily a bad one.
Sounds like you had a lovely day and nothing better than a new piece of old furniture. We have one English Windsor chair which we both love. Hope to someday add a partner.
Janet --
Such a lovely story. I'm excited about your purchase! Happy Birthday.
Cheers,
Courtney
What a lovely spare design, with a whiff of Chinese influence, perhaps? A belated happy birthday to you!
Emile ~ oh, to be sure! Bamboo-inspired turnings were very popular in the early years of the 19th century.
JCB - seems very similar to reproduction Windsors once used in Monticello entrance hall. However, I'm sure the gentleman is correct about your great find. Enjoy your first jointly-collected piece of furniture!
Post a Comment