Elijah Galusha -- I think (?)

Can I get anybody to offer an opinion as to whether or not my black settee & chairs are Galusha products?  Frames are walnut -- NOT laminated construction.  Upholstery is original -- black haircloth. 

My opinion is middle-class quality Elijah Galusha.  I wish more examples were shown on the web. 

As an aside, would anybody care to offer a guess on who may have made the little davenport too?

Thank you,

Jason

Jason,

When you get a spare moment, post some closeup pictures of the chair and sofa knees and front carvings.  If they are the same (between sofa and chair), just provide it from one or the other.

John

Some additional pictures of the crest & what-not.  Note the "cabbage rose" carvings...they might be indicative of a Galusha.

Thank you,

Jason

To compare with an Antiquarian Trader offering...

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-PC-ROSEWOOD-ROCOCO-PARLOUR-SUITE-BY-GALUSHA-c-1860_W0QQitemZ130194908849QQcmdZViewItem

http://search.antiqnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/scripts/anet_search/detail.html?DB2_ID=49336&qcat=&keywords=&jump=&basket=0

Thank you,

Jason

Jason,

What a wonderful set.  I really like the form of the settee.  Just beautiful!  You're lucky to have such a nice set.  I'm no expert, but my chairs have some simular features.  I'll try to figure out how to attach a picture or two for review.
The leaves are very similar, but the roses aren't as deeply carved.  It's nice to have found this site...it is very hard to find anyone who has even heard of Galusha.  I'll have to look around for my copy of "Artistry in Rosewood"...I believe it is all Galusha.  I'll let you know if I find it.

Gordie

I tried to attach a couple more pics of the chairs...I'll try again.

gordie

Gordie:

Looks to me like you got the really awesome, high-end Galusha set in Rosewood.  My hunch is that my cheaper walnut set is from Galusha's shop, but possibly/probably not carved by Galusha himself.  There is something about that fiddle-back shape on the chairs and settees that really appeals to me . . . wonderful proportions.  And, of course, nothing screams "Victorian" quite like that Rococo Revival style...even if it is a bit out-dated for my 1881 house. 

Thank you for sharing your pictures!  I'm going to go on believing that I have a low-end Galusha set...I think that it compares favorably with what you have shown me...very similar roses, mine just aren't quite as nice ($).

Thank you,

Jason

Thanks for the tip on the existence of "Artistry in Rosewood".  I picked up a copy for $8 and look forward to it's arrival.

Jason,

I tend to agree with you.  I think you are very likely correct.  I agree with you about the shape...it speaks to me as well.  Your sofa is wonderful!  I love it.  It is neat to be able to see pictures of items of interest...it took me awhile to figure out how to shrink down my photos...older dog learning new tricks!

Rare Victorian--you are welcome regarding "Artistry in Rosewood".  It is a smaller pamphlet and it leaves you wishing for more...but it is enlightening and interesting to see more examples of Galusha...and you have the certainty of maker, not some ebay listing guess.  I wonder why the historical society that house his collection and also prides themselves of being a caretaker of Galusha history, doesn't publish more information?  Hmmm...I might just have to call them up again and visit with them and offer some encouragement.

gordie

... and while you visit with them, bring a camera  :)

Gordie:

The Harp Gallery just posted pics of a really nice walnut sofa (4/2/2008).  It looks like a nice complement to your Galusha chairs despite the difference in wood type.  I wouldn't be surprised if it is a Galusha what with the little rose & flower details...very similar, anyway. 

I think that it is hard to go wrong at $995 with brand new upholstery...

http://www.harpgallery.com/showroom/item4694.html

Thank you,

Jason

Jason,

Thanks for the info.  I will be going to Appleton next Wednesday and I will stop in and go over it then...it is a great price.  The fabric looks very similar to mine as well.  I love tufted back pieces.  Ken prices items based purely on what he has paid...I wonder how much he got this piece for.  Have you ever gone over to Minneapolis to J & E Antiques?

gordie

Gordie:

No, I have never been over to J & E Antiques in Minneapolis.  In fact, I had never heard of them until you mentioned their name.  Their inventory looks pretty good (based on their website).  What are their prices like? 

From what I have seen, the Harp Gallery tends to mark items up by 2 or 3 times what they pay to acquire pieces.  I like to watch what they pay for stuff at Schrager Auctions in Milwaukee and then see what they sell the same item for.  Again, usually a mark-up somewhere between 2 and 3 times what they pay...which is very reasonable, I think, especially when they take the time to clean a piece up or put new upholstery on it.  Southampton antiques, for comparison sake, runs closer to 10-times on their mark-ups, but they tend to find some really cool stuff and, more impressive yet, they find buyers too.

My wife grew up in Minnesota, but we haven't been over that way very often.  We live in Marinette (about 50 miles north of Green Bay, on the west shore of the Bay of Green Bay)...kind of distant from most places.  Where are you at?

- Jason

Jason,

I live in Hewitt, which is 2 miles from Marshfield...which is near Stevens Point.  If you are ever in this area, let me know...I would love to show you my antiques.  I live in a newer home, but have a few rooms done in period style.  I am an administrator in a high school....early 50's with 3 adult kids and 4 dogs!  I also have a friend on the lake outside of Oconto!  Not too far from you!

I have never heard of Schrager Auctions...I'll have to check them out.  This sofa at the Harp Gallery must have been acquired for the low hundreds. 

J & E Antiques does a fair bit of buying on the East coast.  They sell in  "as found" condition, so you can often get a solid deal.  When they have a truck come in to drop off merchandise, the dealers are often waiting...that said, their place is warehouse-like with an incredible amount of "stock" and it is fun to go through.  They are only open a few days of the week.  You will often find Jellif there and occasionally Horner...always several parlor tables, dozens of China Hutches, beds, dining tables and so on...a majority of carved Oak, with a good bit of Rosewood and Walnut as well.
I have looked at the Southampton site for several years and someday, I hope to visit them, although they are beyond my financial range.  If you go to the Cities to J & E, look up Lise Bohn (sp?) on the internet and get her number ...call and set up an appointment to see her wares...it will be the most powerful visit of high-end stock you will likely experience.  I'll see if I can find her website.

Gordie

Boy, sure is interesting to read the personal stuff - I grew up in Appleton, joined the USAF. Now my mother and sister live in Green Bay. When I settled my father's estate, I went back to Appleton and loaded up on a few Victorian items. Wish I had bought more then. Loved to look in Door County also, but the prices were too steep.

Jason,

The Harp Gallery has already sold the sofa!  I thought it might go fast.

gordie

Oh yeah...www.antiquesbylisebohm.com

Hello Jason,
From the little that I have seen and read in the last few days, your set does look similar to the other Galusha examples seen. The carving is a little bit different than some of the pieces, so I agree with you that it is in the middle range perhaps. I love the tufting on the pieces and I get a feel for the black although a bit too dark for my set where the wood is mostly black too. I am thinking coral, dark red, or burgundy perhaps...
I love this little set and the davenport too, which seems consistent with the set. Of course, I am not knowledgeable about the furniture type.
Sunnyp7

Hi Jason,

I browsed to find some other Galusha website references that you may or may not have seen already. There is one where the chair carving and style looked similar to yours. See what you think...
Sunnyp7

http://www.frontiernet.net/~lesliepages/MWP.html
--I am not sure but the 2 green chairs look like Galusha furniture

http://www.tias.com/11597/PictPage/1922282947.html
--Reference Book

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/pubsforsale/detail.cfm?pubID=5288
--Furniture Reference Book

http://www.basic-antiques.com/furniture-romantic.htm
--A Brief History,,,
Elijah Galusha, master cabinetmaker of Troy, New York, worked in rosewood in the latter years of his life. Apparently many of the fine old houses there were completely furnished by him. Also among the many fine cabinetmakers of New Orleans was A. Seibrecht, who worked between 1840 and 1861 and was a fitting rival to John Belter in the treatment of his chairs and sofas.
Rosewood, however, was never plentiful, nor was it easy to carve. American ingenuity soon found a substitute that grew plentifully in our native forests. This, after the proper chemical treatment, took on a hue similar to that of the imported rosewood. Thus began that characteristic of American home life during the middle part of the nineteenth century, black walnut.

http://www.malleries.com/chairs-c-541-s-88.html
--6 mahogany dining room chairs:
Mahogany Dining American Rococo Revival Chairs 19C
Chairs
Price: $3,600.00 USD
Circa 1850.  Superbly crafted, set of six mahogany dining chairs attributed to the Troy, New York furniture maker, Elijah Galusha.  Fine 19th century American Rococo Revival style, featuring a gracefully undulating serpentine front and sides on the chair seat, we have never seen before.  Nicely ...
Circa Antiques Ltd

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/treasures/treasure.cfm?object=3542
--Looks similar to Jason’s set of furniture, no?

http://www.antiquearts.com/cgi-bin/item.fcgi?itemKey=1922307019&store=%2Fstores%2Fsouhantq&catId=366
--Galusha hall tree very ornate
How do you make these links active? Copying and pasting should do the trick...