Antiques | Danby Gathery Art

A Piece of the Past

An antique is generally considered to be 100 years old or older. This age distinction is
commonly used by antique dealers and collectors to classify items. Items between 25 and
100 years old are often referred to as "vintage".
I have been collecting antiques for almost 50 years because I’ve always liked the quiet
presence of them, love the quality of the craftsmanship and the history they hold.
Victorian furniture is lovely because it can often be repaired and refinished to extend its
life. In 2012 we bought Federal House built in 1822 in Ithaca and spent 18 months
renovating it. During that time, I developed an interest in household antiques, specifically
kitchen items, during that time. I’ve collected a few different styles and they are on display
and for purchase in the Danby Gathery Art Works.
Most of the yellow ware, spongeware, and granite ware are all from the mid-1800’s and I am so
amazed that they have survived the wear and tear of the ages. Please stop to visit and start
your own collection of these imperfect beauties.

The Beauty Behind Each Piece

Antique Yellowware, a type of earthenware pottery with a buff-colored body and a lead glaze,
gained popularity in the United States in the mid to late 1800s. It was inspired by English
yellow-ware but made using locally sourced clay, making it a distinctive American product.
Potteries producing yellow-ware emerged in areas with suitable clay deposits, like Ohio, New
Jersey, and Maryland.

The Danby Gathery Art Works has a nice collection of Yellowware bowls for sale. They range from
old ones with a lot of crazing to some with large chips.
Some that are in excellent condition and some show signs of ware-it's
the crazing and chips make them look more interesting. Who used them in the past
years? Was it a family with lots of children? Was it a woman who got a brand-new set
of mixing bowls that she used her entire life? I’m sure there are so many possibilities
and so many stories behind these antique bowls.

Antique Spongeware in the USA, also known as Spatter Ware, emerged in the mid-19th century,
with production primarily concentrated in North America and Europe. This pottery style features
a unique decorating technique where colored pigments are applied to a base piece using a
sponge, creating a distinctive mottled or sponged pattern. Spongeware was popular due to its
affordability and mass-production capabilities, making it a common choice for everyday
household items. Sponge-ware items were produced by most every pottery operating in North America
from about the mid 1800s to the early middle 20th century; some potteries still
produce it to this day. Such newer pieces are easily distinguished from collectible 100
+/- year old pieces.

Antiques dealer Robert Young, who has a personal sponge-ware collection of 150
pieces, says a lot of it was unmarked because it was decorated by individuals at home.
‘It was a cottage industry. Women would pick up cheap blanks from the pottery, sponge

them on the kitchen table, then return them for the second firing.’ Because it was so
cheap, it was well used and so only a relatively small amount has survived intact.

Antique Graniteware, or enamelware, in the USA has a history dating back to the late
1800s. Initially, it was popular for its durability, ease of cleaning, and ability to prevent
metallic tastes in food. Graniteware, characterized by its speckled or marbled patterns
in colors like blue, green, and brown, was produced in large quantities until the mid-20th century
century, when it began to be replaced by aluminum and other materials. Today,
collectors and designers appreciate its vintage charm and unique aesthetic.
The introduction of aluminum and other materials in the mid-20th century led to a
decline in granite ware production. However, its unique aesthetic and historical
significance have made it a popular collectible item.

In the late 19th century, oak furniture experienced a significant revival, particularly through the
Arts and Crafts movement. This era saw oak being used extensively for creating furniture,
reflecting its natural beauty and durability. Additionally, styles like Victorian & Mission, which
originated in the late 19th century, often featured oak as a primary material.
A distinctive feature of some late 19th and early 20th-century oak furniture, tiger oak refers to
the horizontal grain pattern, which is created by quarter-sawing the oak and showcasing the
medullary growth rings strength and resistance to damage made it a favored choice for furniture,

ensuring its longevity and making it a popular choice for heirloom pieces.

In the past, oak-splint baskets were used in almost every kitchen and barn on the old homestead

because they were sturdy and inexpensive. Now prized now by collectors, these plain, un-decorated,

utilitarian forms tended to fall by the wayside in the twentieth century when inexpensive imported

baskets, commercially made bushel and “peach” baskets, and all sorts of other containers came on the market. Collectors realized the beauty of the handmade baskets and started to decorate with them & use even use them. You'll find the Danby Gathery Art Works has a few of the beauties looking for new homes.