Tag: mill house

Did You Know?

Did you know that these dressers are often referred to as bachelor chests?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

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Did you know that small chests of drawers are often called bachelor chests? In the 18th century, single men did not possess much and what they did possess did not require much storage space—thus, the advent of the bachelor chest.  However, these chests offered more than just storage for trousers, pants, shirts and collars.  In fact, they served a multitude of purposes for the man about town.

With early versions, bachelors could fold over the top and rest it on lopers — the slides that pulled out from the chest. Et voilà, the bachelor had a writing surface.  Over time, these chests incorporated a brush slide upon which a young, fashionable gent could tend to his clothes as well as conduct correspondence.

This fine example of a bachelor chest sports such a slide. Well proportioned and immaculately appointed with string inlay, the bachelor who owned this chest wanted only the finest. And so should you. Find this bachelor chest as well as other fine examples only at Mill House Antiques. More than an ordinary experience.

 

Did You Know?

Do you know the difference?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Do you know the difference between a tea table and a game table?

Quite simply, the tea table has a polished surface on the interior and a game table has a baize surface.   With the fashion of taking tea and other refreshments, the folding side table became quite common in 18th century homes.  While the tables with baize interiors were used for the most part as game tables, tea tables with their polished interiors were certainly more functional.

Take these simple, yet elegant tables.  Which do you think is a game table and which is a tea table?

Not sure, discover the answer for yourself at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

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Did You Know?

Did you know there is more than meets the eye at Mill House?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

While our 17 showrooms are complete with the finest European antiques assembled in one place, it is also our workshop that has helped establish Mill House as destination for over 50 years and differentiates us.

We don’t just remove a piece from a container and put it on the floor.  Au contraire, every antique is thoroughly examined by our own craftsmen, who employ the same fine techniques pioneered centuries ago to conserve and restore each piece.  And when an antique is sold, it goes back through the workshop for the same thorough inspection.  Not one antique leaves Mill House unless it meets our high standards as we believe an antique should not only decorate a home but be used.

So when you purchase an antique from Mill House, you can be confident that it will endure for another lifetime or two.

Did You Know?

Did you know a cheval derives its name from old French for horse?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Mill House Antiques Cheval

Did you know that a cheval derives its name from old French for horse? Known as horse dressing glasses, these large, free-standing mirrors did not come into existence until the early 1800s when producing large sheets of glass became possible.

The reason for this association with the horse is that these mirrors were held by large frames or horses and not because of their “use by sartorially conscious cavalry officers”. No doubt this handsome cheval was the possession of a well-heeled gentleman, or even an officer. Made of the finest burl walnut and detailed with ebonized accents, a cheval of this quality is a rare find today and only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

Did You Know?

Did you know that a housekeeper’s cupboard was more than a place to store linens?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Did you know that a housekeeper’s cupboard was more than a place to store linens?  These large and imposing pieces of furniture with drawers below and cabinets on top also stored the best china and glass, and occasionally, the more valuable staples, such as tea and coffee. Generally under lock and key, it was the head housekeeper, much like Mrs. Hughes in Downton Abbey, who oversaw the contents.

While most of these cupboards were utilitarian in their appearance, some were crafted to reflect the status of the household.  Take this superb housekeeper’s cupboard with such fine details as mahogany crown moulding and banding, as well as a fusee clock.  It must have come from a rather well-to-do manor house, but can only be found now at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.

Mill House Antiques Cupboard

 

Did You Know?

Did you know? Austro-Hungarian cabinet makers were considered some of the finest

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Did you know that 19th century Austro-Hungarian cabinet makers were considered some of the finest across the continent?  Rightly so, as they took great pride in their work and went the extra mile by hand carving a moulded edge along the inner edges of drawers — something rather unique for cabinet makers of that period.

Take this fine example of a chest of drawers from Budapest that incorporates a drop down secrétaire.  With its handsome walnut root veneer and wonderful brass, the quality of its construction is readily apparent on the outside, but one look inside shows the careful attention to detail rarely seen in chests and found only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.  #millhouseantiques #antiques

 

Mill House Antiques

 

Must See

Mill House Antiques voted #1

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

We are very pleased to let you know that Mill House Antiques has been voted the #1 antiques dealer in Connecticut by readers of Connecticut Magazine.  Come in see why Mill House Antiques is more than an ordinary experience.  For 50 years.  One location in Woodbury, Connecticut.  Open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Mill House Antiques Best Dealer

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

Did you know that a tramp freighter was so named for its itinerant travels and not the promiscuous nature of its sailors? Without a set itinerary, the tramper would sail between ports usually with a single cargo. While quite numerous from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s, tramp freighters became obsolete as larger cargo vessels were required following WWII.

After reading the ship’s log, one could easily conclude that the S.S. Alyestone was indeed a tramp freighter, or perhaps the original love boat. The ship’s log provides a long list of doctor visits by various seamen for, shall we say, “personal reasons.” Not only can you discover this wonderful ship builder’s model at Mill House Antiques, but you can also find excerpts from the ship’s log. More than an ordinary experience.

Mill House Antiques Ship

 

Mill House Events

Maestro Leif Bjaland with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra this evening at Mill House Antiques

Mill House Antiques & Gardens

We are looking forward to hosting the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra annual benefit this evening at Mill House Antiques. The event will take place in the gardens from 5:30 to 8:30pm.  Join us for wine and music.

 

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Only at Mill House Antiques.  More than an ordinary experience.