The Art of Amish Furniture
Known in the US since the 1920s, Amish Furniture is highly sought after for its architectural quality and aesthetics. With the 1920s came the concept of “American Folk Art,” and subsequently, Amish-made furniture became coveted by dealers and historians who appreciated the pieces for their sheer beauty and overall quality.
Several styles, often referred to as “schools,” emerged from this, with the differences stemming from the regions of Pennsylvania they originated. One such example is the Jonestown School. Established in the late 1700s in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, by a man named Christian Seltzer, this style was primarily known for crafting blanket chests, all of which were hand-painted, often with flowers on three panels of the chest. Original examples of this beautiful style are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institute.
The Soap Hollow School is another distinct style of Amish-made furniture. Founded around the same time as the Jonestown School in the late 1700s in Soap Hollow, Pennsylvania, this style was primarily developed by Lancaster County furniture maker Henry Lapp. His innovations and designs define what people today consider Amish-made. Unlike the Germanic influence used by other schools, such as the Jonestown School, which involved … ...Read the rest.
“The Art of Amish Furniture”
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