James Bacon Addis (1829-1889) was the younger brother, by 18 years, of Samuel Joseph Addis. He was a third generation carving tool maker – his father, Joseph James Addis (1792-1858), was master to his older brother and his grandfather, Samuel Bayton Addis (1768-1832), had worked in the trade since the 1780s. He might have been … Continue reading James Bacon Addis, Prize Medal Carving Tools
The Addis Family, the Herring Brothers, and Ward & Payne
If you’re a carver, woodworker, or interested in the history of edge-tools you will recognize some or all of the names in the title of this post. “ADDIS” in one form or another was imprinted on edge-tools produced in England, primarily woodcarving tools, for well over a century. Many of the carving tools made by … Continue reading The Addis Family, the Herring Brothers, and Ward & Payne
Antique of the Day
I want to thank my colleagues at The Magazine Antiques for highlighting this blog when featuring the spice box sold at Freeman’s last December in their #antiqueoftheday Instagram feed! I also want to make one correction – I am not the one treating the spice box, that project is being carried out by another, very … Continue reading Antique of the Day
The Missing Door
I noted the spice box that sold at Freeman’s last December was missing its door. The contents of most spice boxes were protected by doors having iron locks that could only be opened by someone in possession of the key. (Two surviving spice boxes are made in the form of a chest of drawers on … Continue reading The Missing Door
Bartram Family Joiner Chest of Drawers
Lightening has struck twice. At least it has at Freeman's in Philadelphia. Another object that can be attributed to the Bartram Family Joiner is scheduled to be sold in their auction American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts, 15 November 2017. In December 2016, less than a year ago, Freeman’s sold a spice box attributed to … Continue reading Bartram Family Joiner Chest of Drawers
In Proportion to the Trouble 