Located on 4051 de Bullion street, corner of Duluth, in Montreal, since June 1984, Les Barricades Mystérieuses antique store specialises in collecting, restoring and selling traditional pine furniture.


Supply

All pieces never have been restored until now; they are found hidden away in attics, abandoned in barns, garages, etc.

Village jumble-sales and regional flea-markets are usually where we first establish potential contacts that will further guide our investigations. Also small country pickers may offer sometimes interesting pieces.

Provenance

Where a piece of furniture is found does not necessarily tell us where it was made. Nevertheless, it could still be considered as a fairly good indication in many cases. Chests especially have long traveled; and we do have to remember mass-migrations and relocations that have occurred in our history.

Certain regions have remarkable characteristics. The look itself, per instance, of Quebec district pine wood is incomparable to any. Distinctive workmanship showing English, Acadian, or other influences, will also serve as a definite indication of geographical origin.


Dating of furniture

A few parameters may guide us in determining the period to which a piece of furniture belongs.

Hardware is frequently a strong indication, while possible overlaps must always be taken into consideration because, from time to time, there has  been some pieces built in "ye ole way".

After forged nails have done the job till the beginning of the XIX century, standardized square nails slowly emerged in three phases: of first (c. 1800-30); second (c. 1830-50-60); and third generations (c. 1850-80), followed by the first generation of round nails (c.1880-90-1950). Blunt screws were in use until 1830 or so.

Both the presence and absence of specific tool markings are clues found mainly on the hidden parts of a piece of furniture.

In any given case, we can determine a span one or two human generation (30 to 60 years).

© Barricades Mystérieuses 2007