08/22/2025 American Furniture & Decorative Arts, 19th & 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, American Art
At DOYLE, we’re thrilled to invite you into the soul of Americana through our vibrant auctions of 18th and 19th century American furniture and decorative arts. These pieces, rugged tavern tables, hand-stitched quilts, folksy weathervanes, and gleaming Chinese export porcelain, capture the spirit of a young nation, brimming with grit, creativity, and heart. Our sales are a celebration of the homespun charm and enduring craftsmanship that define Americana, welcoming collectors and enthusiasts to connect with the stories of everyday Americans who shaped our history. With warmth and a touch of down-home pride, we share these treasures to inspire and unite our community.
DOYLE’s Americana auctions feature 18th- and 19th-century American furniture, folk art, and decorative objects that reflect the materials, design traditions, and regional histories that shaped early American life. From Shaker furniture and painted blanket chests to schoolgirl samplers and Chinese export porcelain, each piece offers insight into the cultural and domestic priorities of the time.
Our auctions are a love letter to the American experience, showcasing objects that evoke the frontier, the hearth, and the hustle of early American life. Picture a sturdy oak chair crafted by a colonial carpenter, its worn patina whispering tales of family gatherings, or a vibrant sampler stitched by a young girl, her needlework a testament to patience and pride. From ticking clocks that marked time in bustling town squares to whimsical folk art depicting barn dances and harvest moons, these pieces embody the ingenuity and optimism of Americana. Add to that the elegance of Chinese export porcelain and richly patterned rugs, and you’ve got a collection that bridges the practical and the poetic, rooted in the American story.
Our recent sales have brought the spirit of Americana to life with pieces that resonate with history and heart. A star of one auction was Joseph Christian Leyendecker’s Father Rushing Home with an Armload of Gifts, a cheerful holiday scene that adorned The Saturday Evening Post on December 4, 1909. This slice of American optimism, capturing the hustle and bustle of holiday joy, fetched $170,100. Leyendecker’s work, from magazine covers to iconic Arrow shirt ads, defined the look of early 20th-century America, making his pieces a cherished part of our national fabric.
Equally enchanting were two folk art gems by Grandma Moses, painted in 1943. Over the River to Grandma’s House, on Thanksgiven [sic] and The Day Before Christmas brought rural America to life with their snowy landscapes and cozy gatherings, selling for $119,700 and $31,500 amid spirited bidding. Passed down through the family since their creation, these paintings are pure Americana, simple, heartfelt, and brimming with nostalgia for a time when life revolved around community and tradition.
Another highlight was the Collection of the Direct Descendants of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a nod to America’s cultural pioneers. Whitney, the sculptor and founder of the Whitney Museum of American Art, championed the nation’s creative spirit. Her collection featured treasures like a watercolor by Alice Ravenel Huger Smith, which sold for $15,120, evoking the misty beauty of the American South, and a maquette for the Titanic memorial, realizing $12,600, a poignant reminder of American resilience. These works reflect the bold, innovative heart of Americana, tying personal stories to the broader tapestry of our history.
DOYLE’s Americana auctions feature 18th- and 19th-century American furniture, folk art, and decorative objects that reflect the materials, design traditions, and regional histories that shaped early American life. From Shaker furniture and painted blanket chests to schoolgirl samplers and Chinese export porcelain, each piece offers insight into the cultural and domestic priorities of the time.
Americana remains a cornerstone collecting category, valued for its historical depth and craftsmanship. Works are often handmade, regionally distinctive, and deeply tied to American identity, whether through form, function, or symbolism.
Recent sales at DOYLE have included standout examples such as Joseph Christian Leyendecker’s 1909 illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, which realized $170,100, and two 1943 works by Grandma Moses that achieved $119,700 and $31,500. These highlights reflect sustained interest in narrative-driven, historically grounded works that bridge fine art and folk tradition.
Also of note: the Collection of the Direct Descendants of Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, featuring early 20th-century works by American artists with ties to the country’s evolving cultural institutions.
At DOYLE, we see collecting as a way to keep the American spirit alive, a chance to hold a piece of our shared past and pass it forward. Our auctions are warm, welcoming, and unpretentious, inviting everyone from seasoned collectors to curious newcomers to dive into the world of Americana. Whether you’re drawn to the rustic charm of a hand-carved mirror, the bold colors of a folk painting, or the delicate beauty of a porcelain teacup, there’s a story here waiting for you. Join us at our next sale to discover the heartbeat of America through its furniture and decorative arts, and become part of a community that celebrates our nation’s enduring legacy.
DOYLE’s specialists bring decades of experience in evaluating, cataloging, and presenting Americana with the care and context it deserves. Whether you are building a collection, refining one, or managing an estate, our team offers discreet, informed guidance every step of the way.
Explore upcoming sales or schedule a consultation to learn more about buying or selling in this dynamic and historically rich category.