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(Above photo - Regency Bamboo Easel - Artists Stand 1880)
Antique easels are not only functional tools for artists but also beautiful historical pieces that showcase craftsmanship. Over the centuries, easels have evolved in form and function, reflecting changes in artistic techniques and styles. Here is a guide to the main types of antique artists’ easels you may encounter, ranging from the late Renaissance period through the 19th and early 20th centuries.
(Above photo - Gilt Artist Easel Adjustable Height Stand)
Overview: Named for their shape, these sturdy and practical easels resemble the letter “H” when viewed from the front. Common Use: Favored by studio artists, especially for large works. Features: Adjustable height and tilt. Heavy base, providing excellent stability. Often built from quality woods like mahogany, oak, or walnut. Antique Characteristics: Antique H-frame easels often have intricate woodwork or handcrafted joinery, showing signs of age like worn wood or iron fittings.
(Above photo - Italian Oil Painting Triumphal Arch Cityscape Signed Rome)
Overview: Shaped like the letter “A” or a lyre, these easels are compact and lighter than H-frame easels. Common Use: Ideal for smaller canvases, they were frequently used by both professionals and amateurs. Features: Three legs (two in the front, one in the back). Simple design, easy to fold for storage. Lightweight and often portable. Antique Characteristics: Antique lyre easels may feature brass or copper detailing on the joints, and some older models include ornate carvings on the legs. Early versions were often constructed from woods such as cherry or oak.
(Above photo - Victorian Mahogany Artists Easel - Picture Art Stand)
Overview: One of the most basic and traditional designs, tripod easels are three-legged, often foldable, and ideal for plein air (outdoor) painting. Common Use: Popular with landscape painters and for travel. Features: Lightweight and portable. Adjustable legs for uneven terrain. May have simple mechanisms to hold a canvas in place. Antique Characteristics: Antique tripod easels, particularly 19th-century French models, may have brass fittings, and many were collapsible for easy transport. They were usually made of hardwoods and often showed wear from outdoor use.
(Above photo -Carved Artists Easel Stand Gilt Adjustable Height)
Overview: Also known as combination easels, these can be adjusted to serve as both an upright easel for painting and a flat surface for drawing. Common Use: Suitable for artists working in both painting and drawing or mixed media. Features: Convertible between a vertical easel and horizontal drafting table. Adjustable angles and heights. Antique Characteristics: Antique convertible easels may feature brass hardware and intricate mechanisms to adjust the angle. They are typically heavier than modern counterparts and built from durable, polished woods like walnut.
(Above photo - Mahogany Artists Easel Picture Art)
Overview: Small easels designed for use on a table or desk, often used for smaller works or for displaying finished pieces. Common Use: Ideal for miniature painting or small canvases. Features: Portable, compact. Simple design with adjustable canvas holders. Antique Characteristics: Antique tabletop easels may have detailed craftsmanship, such as brass hinges or decorative woodwork. The simpler designs were often used by amateur artists or for still-life painting indoors.
Overview: These are compact, portable easels with an integrated storage box, popular with plein air artists. Common Use: Ideal for travel, especially for landscape artists working outdoors. Features: Foldable and compact. Built-in storage for paints, brushes, and other supplies. Adjustable canvas holder. Antique Characteristics: Antique pochade boxes often feature brass fittings, leather straps, and finely crafted wooden cases, typically made from walnut, beech, or mahogany. Some older models have beautifully worn patinas from years of use.
Overview: A type of box easel, the French easel is designed to be portable, featuring collapsible legs and an integrated storage box. Common Use: Popular among 19th-century French plein air painters, these easels were perfect for outdoor use. Features: Foldable legs. Built-in compartments for storage. Often includes a palette and room for art supplies. Antique Characteristics: Antique French easels from the 19th century may have iron or brass hardware and a rich, dark wood patina. They are prized for their portability and functionality, with elegant craftsmanship in the joints and fittings.
(Above photo - Mahogany Artists Easel Picture Art) Overview: Primarily used for displaying finished artwork rather than for painting. Common Use: Galleries and art salons often used these for exhibitions or art dealers’ studios.
Fixed position, non-adjustable. Often more decorative than functional. Antique Characteristics: Many antique display easels feature elaborate carvings, inlay work, or gilding, especially those used in 19th-century salons. They may also feature ornate flourishes like scrollwork and flourished tops.
Condition: While a bit of wear is expected with antique easels, make sure any moving parts like adjustable arms or legs function properly. A patina on the wood is desirable, but deep cracks or structural damage may affect its usability. Materials: Look for quality wood construction such as oak, mahogany, or walnut. Antique metal fittings like brass or iron add to the value.
Provenance: If possible, inquire about the easel’s history. Easels once owned by famous artists or from well-known workshops can hold greater value.
Restoration: Some collectors prefer restoring antique easels, while others appreciate them in their original, worn condition. Be cautious with restorations that involve replacing original hardware, as this can reduce value. Whether you're a painter, a collector, or simply an admirer of historical craftsmanship, antique easels provide a glimpse into the artistic processes of the past while also serving as beautiful, functional tools or decorative pieces.
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