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While going to school in Manitoba I picked antiques. I bought and sold a lot of stuff. At that time there was little
interest around Winnipeg in painted ethnic stuff - which I really liked. I collected some very cool stuff, Ukranian,
Mennonite, Doukabour - whatever I liked - my concern was ... original paint, good condition, handmade construction -
and a bit of character. What follows is a small sample of my collection.
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| Polish Step-back cupboard |
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Nice hey? I found the bottom part of this cupboard filling in a hole in a fence in Winnipeg. I recognized it as special
while driving by at 40 km/hr. I slammed on the brakes and started banging on doors. Eventually I was able to buy it and
it turned out that the upper section was also available. I figure it is Polish as there are a couple of very similar cabinets
in Michael Bird's Canadian Country Furniture. Still though, it could be Ukranian - or even German.
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| German Chest |
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Again - Michael Bird's book has a couple of boxes similar to this. His Wilno County pictures show boxes that are a bit more
decorative - with flowers or newly weds painted on the panels and dates painted above the panels. This one is unusual in that
the top is wider than base. I bought this from a 70 year old woman and her children. They were 100% sure that it came to
Canada from what is now present day Germany by an ancestor named Kuntz around 1850. I think the hinges more likely indicate
the 1890's but ... who knows. Dovetail and wooden peg constuction.
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| Mennonite Table |
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So this table was found in hard-core Mennonite country in Southern Manitoba. The top is constucted with 1 1/4" fir boards.
There are no nails or screws in this table, it is put together with wooden pegs. Original or very old painted finish - drawer
replaced.
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| Bahut with French-Canadian table |
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This little green box is likely my oldest piece. Very old paint,dovetail construction with rose-head nails. I show the back
as it reveals hand-forged butterfly hinges with hand-forged heart-shaped handles. Handles, hinges and nails lead to a constuction
date prior to 1830. Box was likely made in France, found it's way with a settler to Quebec and ended up in Manitoba. Paridis
(probably the father of Canadiana) has a very similar box in his book that he attibutes to a convent. I found this box in
a very old outbuilding at a farm house. The owners were retiring and many antique dealers had just not noticed it. I found
it with old musket shot lying in the bottom.
Little green table in original paint. Wooden pegs hold on the top and hold the frame together. There are no nails or
screws anywhere in this table. I really had to stuggle to get this table by pestering the owner for months. As with the box
I suspect this table is of French Canadian heritage.
| Icelandic Step-Back Cupboard |
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I believe this cupboard to be Icelandic, although it could be Ukranian. All boards are approximately 1 1/4 to 1 1/2"
thick with square nail construction throughout. Applied decorative leaves in original green paint. Note the decorative scrolling
below the upper and lower doors. Likely constucted between 1875 and 1890. I like to think that an Icelandic fisherman
from around the Gimli area of Manitoba, made this cabinet for his wife as a Christmas gift. Unfortunately - there
is little contrast in pic as the cabinet is against pine panelling.
| Yellow jam-cupboard |
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Small yellow jam-cupboard. Probably factory made. I include it as the finish is exceptional.
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