1830s Folk Art CUTLERY RACK with Carved Initials M V from Sally VanDenBossche's Dining Room

Item Details

Primitive wooden cutlery wall rack with carving and the initials M V worked into it, early to mid 19^th century. The hanging rack is made from three pieces of pine, with a back and a front and a piece in the center cut so as to form twelve slots. The back piece has a scallop cut design on the top, and the front is cut into an interesting curved and stepped shape. The letter M is carved at the left side and V at the right side, and there’s a curving swag between them. These are all carved with a pin prick technique. The appearance of the letters looks consistent with the style often used in early American folk art. I believe the wood is pine. There are two holes for mounting the rack on a wall. The front side is finished smooth, but you can see the up-and-down saw marks on the back. This detail should date it to the mid 19^th century or before. There are five round head tacks present, but I think these replaced early brads (like the two still in the back). The rack measures 11 ¾” wide, about 4 ¾” tall, and 1 ¾” deep. This is from the collection of Sally VanDenBossche. My mother had this hanging on the dining room wall with early cutlery displayed in it. The folk art wall rack is in good to very good condition with the wear and soiling consistent with its age and careful use. I see no signs of significant damage—no missing pieces or significant cracks. A nice piece of early American folk art!