Swedish Rococo, also known as the Late Baroque style, emerged in the early 18th century and lasted until the late 18th century. It was influenced by the French Rococo style but also incorporated elements of Swedish craftsmanship and design. The style is characterized by its lightness, elegance, and intricate ornamentation, with an emphasis on asymmetry and whimsical motifs. Swedish Rococo architecture, furniture, and art are renowned for their ornate and playful nature, reflecting the influence of nature and the natural world. This period marked a significant shift in Swedish design, as it moved away from the heavier, more formal Baroque style towards a more lighthearted and graceful aesthetic.
English passenger and mail stagecoach. This mode of transport became outdated when the locomotive arrived in 1850. The fully paying passengers sat in the carriage while the half-paying passengers sat on the top. As they had different stopping points to change horses and rest the passengers the attendant at the back would blow his horn to inform them of their arrival. There has been some restoration as the coach is very fragile when shipping. (about 20%). More information to come.
Swedish tall-case clock or the descriptive name “Mora” clock. In Swedish antiques, the first important item collectors think of and want is the Mora clock. There are many different shapes and it seems that every province has its own style. The clock above is from Jamtland, Sweden. The real Mora clock is from the province of Dalarna where it all began in the 18th century. It was formed as a cottage endeavor and each family made a certain part of the mechanism. These clocks were sold at a marketplace and the buyers were not concerned if it was working or not they wanted the clock as a beautiful piece of art that would enhance their surroundings. I have seen several clocks signed “AAS” which I now find out is Krang Anders Andersson(1727-1799). Please note: more information will be added over time
British Regency tabletop box.Early 19th century. Originally found in, Orillia, Ontario, Canada, but purchased from the Estate of Johnathan Kormos of Queenston, Ontario, Canada. To digress, Queenston not far from the American border, was one of the important sites involved in the 1812 war. The box is Bombay-shaped with a single drawer, wood, covered in red Russian leather, and a gadrooned lid. Detailed with reeded cylinder decoration and applied brass paw feet and decorative mounts. It is an unusual and very collectible box.
Swedish Bonad or wall painting. Dated 1844. Like the American fracture, this is the Swedish equivalent but much larger. The itinerant artist would visit the customer and inquire what subject they would like, most people wanted religious scenes, and they adorned their walls at Christmas or Easter and so on. The value of these paintings depends on who painted them. This one I understand to be by Per Svensson. He was an apprentice to Johannes Nilsson who was a renowned artist in his own right. Sevenssons paintings are easy to recognize because of the baby faces of his subjects and he didn’t like empty spaces so he filled them up with circles. Size: 50in by 50in.
Recent Additions: In our recent additions we have been mostly interested in small items such as and mostly boxes. Every lady should have one and like the days gone by, they were used for her small items such as letters, seals etc. I didn’t realize the interest in this area until seeing them on dealers and auction websites. This is a very large area as it encompasses the above noted boxes, German brides boxes, wig boxes, and so on. Most of our boxes are from the 19th and mostly the 18th centuries maybe the odd one from the 17th century. Some are painted and some richly carved both very collectible. Check our website at ryderantiques.com.
As mentioned in our last letter antique shows and auctions are moving their venues to the online Internet and away from the live venues. This means I can show my antiques at any antique show in North America, actually, I am currently doing one in New York City with the magazine Antiques and Fine Art. Please check us out on Incollect for the Antiques and Fine Arts show at https://www.incollect.com/professionals/dealers/ryder-antiques-afa-shows (Edit: Added link)
Skinner Auctions recently had an online webcast where you had to sign up to listen. I thought I would learn something like the state of the antique business, where it is and where it is going. It didn’t happen, they talked mainly on how an auction operates which we already know. Nothing about their high fees of 25% to buy and 25% to sell or for every dollar that goes through their auction they make .50 that means for a $1,000,000 sale they make $500,000. Not bad. All this aside they are one of the best in the USA. Just a last point, when the stock market has a very sharp drop (2008) investors panic and want to get out of the market at any price. This is what they call a “selling panic” and that is when the market turns up. The antique market is somewhere in this area and it represents very good value.
Better times are coming.
Lloyd Ryder Craig Ryder
A couple examples of antique boxes follow.
Alsatiian Polychrome box rear.Decorative latch on Alsation polychrome box.Jundt Gustave Les Fiancés – Woman receiving a decorative box from her Fiancee, also known as Brides boxes as they were commonly made by the men as gifts to their brides to be.Antique brides box.
