Worthington Galleries’ collection of American folk art is now bigger and better. From auction houses in New England to the Midwest and Southern states, we’ve added more than 200 new items to our folk art collection. New items include Americana décor, vintage children’s toys, handmade needlepoints, original oil paintings, lithographs, wood carvings and pottery.
“Ireland’s gift to America”
A few of our favorite things include two vintage ceramic Henry McKenna bourbon whiskey jugs. McKenna, who emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. in 1837, brought with him his family’s whiskey recipe when he settled in Kentucky. He later opened a distillery in Fairfield, Ky. in 1855 and began distributing his whiskey throughout the South. McKenna’s whiskey became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was often called “Ireland’s gift to America.” Henry McKenna’s whiskey is still made today.
The 46-star flag
Another favorite includes a framed antique 46-star American Flag, which was adopted July 4, 1908 with the addition of Oklahoma into the Union. The 46-star flag was the official flag of the United States for just four years. The 48-star flag was adopted in 1912 when New Mexico and Arizona became states.
Rocking horses, wood-carved and tin toys
Rocking horses and hand-carved toys take us back to a romantic bygone era before children’s playthings were made from plastic and mass produced. Toys were beautifully carved and carousel horses were works of art. The collection includes a wood carved rocking black and white spotted dog; a wood carved white stallion on a yellow wooden platform on wheels and a pull string; a gliding brown horse with red leather seat and ears; a wood carved bunny on wheels; and a blue wooden elephant on a string. The collection also includes a few select tin toys, which were made from thin sheets of plated steel in the mid-20th century.
Needlepoints and handwoven art
Handwoven and needlepoint art has been around since the ancient Egyptians. The Worthington collection includes nearly two dozen pieces of framed, handmade Americana needlepoints depicting rural and patriotic scenes.
Visit www.worthingtongalleries.com to browse our online inventory, updated daily. Browse Worthington’s collection at 69 Arcade, Nashville by appointment or visit our Gallatin location, 1181 Nashville Pike, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 615-527-7970 to schedule weekend or after-hour appointments.
