Early American Antiques, Folk and Fine Art
IN HISTORIC OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA

Period Southern Furniture, Federal or Earlier Furniture from Tidewater Virginia, Maryland or the Carolinas Early Southern Decorative Arts Early Alexandria and Virginia Silver especially by silversmiths John Adam, Adam Lynn, William Williams, Charles A. Burnett Virginia Stoneware especially Alexandria items marked by Tildon Easton, James Black, James Miller, B.C.Milburn, John Swann, or H. or J.P.Smith Early Maps of Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay Region American Paintings and Portraits from the 19th Century or earlier especially southern artists or subjects 19th Century American Still Life Paintings and Landscapes Folk Art Paintings and Furniture

I hope you enjoy exploring my collection of early American antique furniture, paintings and decorative arts as much as I enjoy discovering and delving into the history of each and every piece.  I focus on paintings by American artists working during and prior to the nineteenth century and early southern furniture and decorative arts, but also handle items from Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic.

I also deal in Virginia maps, historical prints, stoneware and Virginia silver. This online gallery represents a part of my ever evolving collection but, to be fully appreciated, any object of art must be seen in person and I encourage you to contact me to arrange a visit in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

I work closely with collectors and institutions that value in-depth research who wish to acquire objects that are both historically and aesthetically important.

Let me know your collecting interests or specific objects you are seeking and, if I cannot currently offer an appropriate example, I will do my best to locate, research and authenticate high quality items worthy of consideration for your collection.

A life-long interest in American history and the development of the arts in this country fuels my enthusiasm as a dealer and student, and I am most fortunate to live within a short distance of a great concentration of research resources.  The Smithsonian museums, including the National Portrait Gallery, American Art Museum and the Archives of American Art are invaluable, as are the extraordinarily rich collections at the National Gallery of Art and the Library of Congress.  Winterthur, Colonial Williamsburg, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), along with the Virginia and Maryland State Historical Societies each offer unique and superlative research resources which greatly enhance possibilities for research into American material culture.  I have had the pleasure of working with all of these institutions, have had my research published by several, and count many among my clients, including the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Arlington House, John Carlyle House, Stratford Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Just as each object must ultimately stand on its own, dealers, curators and collectors must ultimately rely on their own judgment in assessing a painting, print, chair, chest, table or other object.  Research certainly adds much to the context and comprehension that informs one’s judgment, but fundamental knowledge, experience and continuing education play critical roles in the development of one’s “eye.”  I take every opportunity to build on my master’s degree from the Smithsonian/Corcoran School of Art’s History of American Decorative Arts Program by participating in such specialist programs as MESDA’s Summer Institute, Antique Forums at Colonial Williamsburg and Study Days offered through Winterthur.

As one mentor has frequently exhorted me however, the only way to really develop an eye and judgment is to apply one's knowledge by actually looking closely at individual works, and then to "look, look and then look some more."  I will be looking every day at American paintings, furniture and fine examples of decorative arts with the hope that my efforts and discoveries will add to my understanding of each object and provide opportunities for you to add to your collection.

I purchase collections or single items of quality - please contact me for a confidential evaluation.