About this Feature
On the first Friday of every month, The Monroe Times will present a feature on the Life page detailing the history and value of one or more antiques.
Readers are asked to submit a photo of the antique they would like reviewed, or the antique itself when possible, by the last Friday of the month. Readers also should submit their name, phone number and address for verification purposes.
Other information requested of readers includes the name of the item and how it was acquired.
Eleanor Morstad, owner of Wildflower Antiques and Gifts, will then compile a history and description of the item. She may have to call the owner for information.
Morstad then will determine a value of the item based on her research.
The next Antiques Monroe Show will be on May 2. Antiques to be considered for that feature will need to be submitted by noon on Friday, April 25.
THE REVIEWER
Eleanor Morstad, owner of Wildflower Antiques and Collectibles of Monroe
THE ITEM
1900s wardrobe
THE OWNER
Jim Loften, Albany
THE ACQUISITION
Belonged to Jim's father-in-law. He was a farmer from Nebraska who came to Wisconsin to farm in the 1930s. His family came by car. The household furnishings including the wardrobe, some small farm machinery and a cow or two that came down by railroad car. Jim bought the wardrobe at his father-in-law's auction.
THE DESCRIPTION
The wardrobe is 80 inches high, 45.5 inches wide, and 33 inches deep. It is made of western cedar. The interior contains movable rails with shaker pegs for hangers. There is a shelf above with space below for storage.
THE HISTORY
The armoire or wardrobe is a relic of medieval times. It was originally designed to hold armor or weapons during the Hundred Years War in France. After the war, armoires were converted into storage for glassware, linen, clothes and food.
At the aristocratic end of the European market, magnificent Boulle-work versions of the wardrobe were made with tortoise-shell and silver, brass or pewter inlays. Other wardrobes were simple designs made out of various wood depending on the region. There also were regional influences in the detail of the wardrobes rather than the design. The cabinets often were decorated with carvings, paintings or mirrors.
Most wardrobes were free-standing large cabinets used in bedrooms for clothes, blankets or linens. They usually had two large doors and some have shelves, pegs or a drawer on the bottom. Other cabinets were used in various rooms in the house like the kitchen or dining room for storage. In some rural areas, the armoire became an item of a young woman's dowry.
The wardrobe came over to America with the European settlers. They were at home in the rich, opulent settings, as well as the simple farm house. The armoire or wardrobe has survived and still is as popular as it was in the medieval times.
THE VALUE
$800 to $1,500
- Eleanor Morstad is the owner of Wildflower Antiques and Collectibles in Monroe. She is not a certified antiques appraiser. This column is meant for entertainment purposes only.