Antique furniture for sale in Virginia, New River Valley, Blacksburg, Roanoke and Charlottesville areas

For several years now I've been helping a friend clear out her family home by selling vintage items. Recently we have begun selling a wide range of antique furniture. Originally many pieces came from her Grandmother's historic 1905 Victorian home. Our Grandmothers were best friends, going to ladies luncheons together, flower arranging and crafting. Soon I'll be selling floral vases and hand painted treasures created by Madeline in my Etsy Shop.

1905 Cabinet from Kitchen Entryway

The furniture is currently located in the Blacksburg / Roanoke Southwest Virginia area but arrangements are in the works to transport requested pieces to Charlottesville, Virginia. So if you are interested in any of the pieces and live in Charlottesville send an email to forsythiahill@gmail.com. This glass front cabinet used to hand on the wall where you walked into the back entryway. It's unfinished natural wood, could be walnut or poplar.

I wanted to show off some of the more lovely old pieces. None of which have been altered or refinished! Seems the "paint it white" craze has ruined many original finishes. It looks nice but I prefer seeing the original patina on vintage pieces. I do believe there is a need for painting some not so old / not so valuable beaten up furniture but in the case of the family pieces that I'm helping my friend sell, I do not see any need for such treatment.

Pieces date from Early American primitive to Mid Century. There are many marble top pieces on casters. A beautiful Eastlake era Washstand and Dresser set in a soft natural walnut finish should be snatched up quickly as such sets are often broken up and sold separately. One of my favorite pieces is a lovely hand carved burl wood dresser. 

Several Victorian pieces came out of the Victorian home. A rare burl wood Victorian sewing table with side drop leaves and a wonderful dark wood twist open lid Card Game Table (UPDATE: this item has SOLD). There is also a split pedestal claw foot table with matching claw and ball feet leather seat chairs that would be stunning in an office conference room or could even fit in a kitchen without the leaves. 

Several pieces are Art Deco. A very special piece is the large tiered Wedding Cake Chandelier with side lamps which is probably early 1905 - 1915. It also has matching wall sconces! I'm in love with the cedar trunk that has a burl maple finish and classic Deco detailing.

Several washstands are available and possibly a marble top table if the owner is willing to part with it. There is one new item, a super comfortable adjustable Enso queen bed that is like new.

I have a few more pieces that are not included in this blog post (piano, cedar armoires, queen anne chairs, flour dough box, etc) email me if you would like more information, forythiahill@gmail.com, I'm happy to help. Hurry as these items are one of a kind authentic vintage.

~Rebecca  

Desecration of tombstones at Hollywood Cemetery a great loss of history

Several days ago vandals destroyed over a dozen monuments and tombstones at the famed Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. 

Founded in 1847 the grounds are full of massive trees and gardens, designated as an arboretum and the graves are a rich history of national importance. Several Presidents and 18,000 Confederate listed men are buried here.

The setting itself of the cemetery is lovely. Towering trees dot the cemetery while resting below flowering gardens highlight the beautiful monuments. The flowing James River meanders around the base of the tiered hillside. I found it a very special, calm and quiet place for reflection. I have a real beef with people that think it's fun to desecrate the resting place of the dead. It's the lowest of low no matter your reasoning. 

Many years ago, in another Virginia community, our family plot was desecrated by kids that thought it would be fun to turn over tombstones and smash them in half. Originally my family donated the land for the cemetery and therefore had the oldest monuments in the cemetery. It was such a loss historically. The markers have never been repaired.

The older monuments and markers that I found fascinating were more nature based. Angels, women with flowers, or the recurring strange tree stump monuments. The tombstone inscriptions are often fascinating and provide a snapshot of the period 100 - 150 years ago. It really is a must see if you are in Richmond. Spring will be lovely in the Cemetery. 

This is a tragic loss and I hope the vandals will be found and punished but may be it brings renewed interest in history and hopefully greater protection will be provided for the grounds to deter criminals.

~ Rebecca