Have you seen these?

Have you seen these?

Betsy is looking to examine and document furniture that was made or painted by, or in any way attributed to John Shearer or Johannes/John Spitler. She is also interested in examining manuscripts and historical documents related to either craftsman or their customers. She is specifically looking for the following pieces, but if you know of others, please contact her at Betsy.Davison@gmail.com or 703-544-7058.

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John Shearer pieces
John Spitler-painted pieces

John Shearer, Joiner

  • Desk and bookcase pictured in Colonial Homes magazine, August 1993, page 93. At the time it belonged to Charles and Paulette Garber. Caption: “John Shearer of Virginia is believed to have  made the walnut secretary desk about 1802. This piece has 15 secret compartments.”

  • Descended in the van Metre family or Bodine family of Berkeley County, W. VA. Sold by Harry W. Yoe, auctioneer, July 3-4, 1981:
Image of Van Meter two-drawer chest of drawers, 1800. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Van Meter two-drawer chest of drawers, 1800. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
  • Inscribed “John Shearer / Joiner / Martinsburgh / 1800.” Advertised in Magazine Antiques, January 1965:
Image of Two over three chest of drawers, 1800. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Two over three chest of drawers, 1800. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
  • Inlay mentions the ship “Asia.” The original owner contacted Frank Horton of MESDA in the early 1980s and died in the late 1990s:
Image of Asia three-drawer chest of drawers, ca 1814-1815. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Asia three-drawer chest of drawers, ca 1814-1815. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
  • The Traveler’s Rest desk was last known to have been sold at a Headley’s auction:
Image of Travelers Rest desk, ca 1785-`800. John Shearer, maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy Gary E. Heimbuch.
Travelers Rest desk, ca 1785-`800. John Shearer, maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy Gary E. Heimbuch.
  • Samuel Luckett desk. This desk was held in the “Valley Pioneer Artists” exhibit held in Winchester in 1986:
Image of Samuel Luckett desk, 1810. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Samuel Luckett desk, 1810. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
  • Dining table with a incised and stained escutcheon design:
Image of Dining table, ca 1790-1810. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Dining table, ca 1790-1810. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
  • “Eliz Filler Fame to Mars” incised in inlay:
Image of Miss Elizabeth Filler pier table, ca 1804-1806. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Miss Elizabeth Filler pier table, ca 1804-1806. John Shearer maker. Private collection. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Image of Detail on Pier Table with Eliz Filler Fame to Mars incised in inlay. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Detail on Pier Table with Eliz Filler Fame to Mars incised in inlay. Photo courtesy of MESDA.

Johannes or John Spitler, Furniture Painter

  • Published in Antiques Magazine, October 1975, p. 734:
Image of Six-board chest, unidentified case maker, paint attributed to Spitler painting school, ca. 1807-1830. Photo from Antiques magazine, October 1975, p. 734.
Six-board chest, unidentified case maker, paint attributed to Spitler painting school, ca. 1807-1830. Photo from Antiques magazine, October 1975, p. 734.
  • Sold at Sotheby’s, January 24, 1987, lot 211:
Image of Six-board chest, unidentified case maker, paint attributed to Spitler painting school, ca. 1807-1820. Photo courtesy of MESDA.
Six-board chest, unidentified case maker, paint attributed to Spitler painting school, ca. 1807-1820. Photo courtesy of MESDA.

 Contact

Email: Betsy.Davison@gmail.com

Phone: 703-544-7058.