Strange visitors

When the doorbell rings, have candy.

The Nashville antiques show

Dropped by the Tailgate Antique Show on Saturday, which was smaller than usual but promises to be much bigger come February in its new home at the Hendersonville Expo Center. That got Candler Arts excited enough to sign up as an exhibitor. At the show's soon-to-be-former home at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds we snapped a few photos of what was for sale.
1. and 2. Cast iron string holder, c. 1860, $1,900, and whirligig from Vermont, 1875-85, $1,250, Higganum House Antiques, Higganum, Ct.
3. and 4. Tourist Rooms, $750, big putty knife, $950, and fishing painting, Nancy and Craig Cheney Art and Antiques, Newark, Ohio.
5. and 6. Kentucky quilt dated March 20, 1893, showing a child kneading dough (?), among other things, $900, Props, Mountain Pleasant, Tn.
7. Cut paper memorial (detail) for a woman who was born March 31, 1868, and died Dec. 16, 1901. American & European Antiques, Ltd., Evansville, Ind.
8. and 9. Double-sided painting on metal, c. 1940s, found in a barn in Plymouth, Indiana, $595, Jonathan's Fine Art & Antiques, Burr Oak, Ind.

Marriage, a sacred institution

25 years. That's a long time to be married, a milestone worth noting. A sign with applied wood letters marks the silver anniversary of a couple married in 1925. A silver anniversary snapshot from 1938 looks like a shrine or an altar.

Pale riders

Deathly horsemen. Are they ghosts? Circa 1900.

Stuck diver

A snapshot that recently sold on eBay (saratogastash).

A man and his bovine

They seem to have paused for the artist on their way to the barn. Only an English gentleman farmer could dress that well. Even though agriculture is pretty much in the background for many people today, bovines remain a popular subject for artists. Check out bovineartgallery.com for contemporary images. "Our objective is to promote established and emerging artists in various disciplines who share our passion for bovine culture," the site says.

An American Legend

Harley-Davidson was started before World War I and grew to be emblematic of the American motorcycle. The 1953 film "The Wild One" with Marlon Brandon solidified the coolness of Harleys. Brando's character was based on the leader of the actual 13 Rebels motorcycle club, Shell Thuet. The last photo shows Ardin Van Sycle, another 13 Rebels member (thanks The Selvedge Yard blog). The painting on wood pictured here, from the collection of a South Carolina Harley buff, might date to the 1950s, as well, judging from the extensive crackalure. Anybody know the model?