What are primitives and how can you incorporate them into your home décor?
When it comes to antiques, there are so many areas of concentration that people are fascinated by. Some love to collect antique furniture and others find collecting something as small as antique buttons satisfying and rewarding. Whatever you have decided to collect, it is important to have a thorough knowledge of it and where to find it. When you visit your local antique store in Southampton, understand what treasures they hold for you before you visit so you know exactly how to plan your hunt.
One area of antique collecting is the category listed as “Primitives.” Primitives are a style of folk art that is characteristic of a historic or early Americana time period, typically with elements of muted colors and a rough and simple look to them. Primitives often feature a number of recurring themes and characters including angels, barn stars, dolls, sheep, wooden designs, and pottery. Primitive designs focus on items made between the mid-1700s and early 1800s by farmers.
You can see the primitive look in modern “country” type décor. In the antique world, primitive simply means being the first or earliest of its kind. Things that were found in early American farmhouses like butter churns, farm tools, and early American furniture all fall into this category. Some may also refer to it as “Early Americana.” Many farm implements in early American history fall into this category as well and they are highly collectible for décor and also for their rarity.
Primitives define an age when times were simple and the items in this category were solely used for utilitarian purposes. They are simple items that were once used in everyday life. From garden tools to wheel barrels to rolling pins, every item had a purpose. Today we strive to collect these things to hold on to the past and display them in a way to depict our love of all things primitive.
Duplications of primitives exist today and are still produced. It is best to know where you are buying from and finding out the history of any primitive you are looking to purchase. You can also decide to buy a reproduction to use without worrying about its age or rarity. Just know where you are buying reproductions from and do not expect to find them in any reputable antique store.
When you incorporate primitives into your home décor, display them in a way that they become the focal point of any room, and also in a way that they won’t be damaged or misused. Because of the rarity of original primitives, it is important these items be preserved in a way that they don’t get ruined but displayed in a way that people can enjoy them. Primitives tend to be rare because their utilitarian use left very few in pristine condition. If you are lucky enough to own some, treasure them.
