The Old West and its Antique Charm

When you think of antique furniture, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s ornate tables and elaborately cushioned settees, but what about items from the Old West? That era may bring to mind cowboys in large white hats, wagon trains, and tumbleweeds rolling down the road, but it might not be the first thought for desirable antiques. Furniture, and most other possessions, were often well-worn. That being said, they were built to stand the test of time. A chair might be passed down from generation to generation, being slightly altered along the way.

Historians define the Old West period as the years between about 1870 to 1890, but the culture of rough-and-tumble cowboys, gold mining, and sultry saloons lasted much longer. The era’s decor was defined by raw wood, leather, and the colors of nature, including browns, greens, and tans. Let’s dive into a few of the iconic pieces from this period and see if this unique style is something to add to your collection.

Player Pianos

No Western movie was complete without a player piano in the corner of every darkened saloon. Automated instruments like the player piano date back to the early 18th Century, but they made their mark in the Old West. With human piano players not always available, a saloon could become a quiet, uncomfortable place to spend the evening. But with a piano that played itself, patrons could dance any night away. These unique instruments would read a tin spool with raised dots or a perforated sheet of paper, then use that information to hammer down each key to create music. When purchasing the piano, saloons would receive a selection of music to play and could purchase more if they desired. This selection would have been much more limited than our modern-day jukeboxes. Even with only a few songs to choose from, patrons were often mesmerized by the keys playing by themselves, and bartenders relished the regulars they brought in. While the player piano is certainly not a common piece of room decor anymore, it could be just the unique piece to pull together a home filled with cherished antiques.

Hope Chests

During rugged cross-country rides in covered wagons, many furniture pieces were tossed aside long before reaching their destination. The trails to the west were littered with forgotten dressers, tables, and beds. But there was one thing valued so highly that pioneers held onto it as long as possible: the hope chest. Hope chests date back centuries worldwide, but were brought to America with European immigrants in the 18th Century. These chests were traditionally made of cedar and were given to young women to fill with items in preparation for marriage. They might be filled with dresses, towels, pieces of art, blankets, or anything the bride could handmake to ready herself for her future home.

Hope chests were often made and carved by family members, so each antique may be unique. Some were made simply of boards and nails. Others featured elaborate carvings reminiscent of Western theming including horses, cattle, and farms. More labored designs even included drawers to help the young woman separate her treasures. These traditional chests continue to be popular even today, often being passed down or purchased for special occasions. If you’re fortunate enough to find a truly antique hope chest, you may have a one-of-a-kind piece on your hands.

Saloon Chairs

Every dusty saloon in Western America had a collection of worn, wooden chairs just waiting for the next patron to sit down. Wrap-around arms cradled whoever sat there, allowing for a slump down onto the table if they’d been at the saloon too long. Horizontal bars connected the sides and back. Like most furniture of the era, the seats were often on the smaller side, keeping patrons from getting too comfortable and staying the entire night. More ornate designs included carved spindles and taller backs.

The design of these chairs was simple but iconic in American history. Today we might pass them over for a more plush design, but there’s no doubt these chairs could outlast most modern pieces. Even if an angry cowboy started a fight and broke a chair over his sworn enemy’s head, the spindles could often be put back together. The simplicity allowed them to be sturdy but inexpensive should they need replacing. All of this comes together to make them the perfect antique dining chairs today.

Log Bed Frames

If a couple was lucky enough to have a bed frame, it was often made simply from well-hewn logs. A heavy bed frame would have been amongst the first items to be thrown from the too-heavy covered wagon, but wouldn’t be a first priority to recreate once they reached their destination. Once the time allowed, westerners might improve their sleeping arrangements by deftly nailing together whatever logs they could get. Some pioneers would see the logs into boards to create an almost fence-like look. Others would arrange logs into horizontal or vertical lines, cross shapes, or at intersecting angles. Those who were proficient in woodworking would even try to recreate ornate designs like those they’d had in the East.

The log bed frame is particularly unique because it is entirely Western. Few made it across the country, and therefore the East had little influence on the designs created by Westerners. These pieces were handmade from wood found on the maker’s land, and the lack of necessity means they were creatively and lovingly built by people who wanted to devote time to their construction. An antique log bed frame is a true treasure full of history and care and will improve any modern bedroom.

Western style epitomizes courage, action, and adventure. From roughly chopped logs to meticulously carved spindles, each piece shows its purpose. Whether you love the style, the colors, the history, or all three, Western antique furniture can become statement pieces in your home. With these antiques, you can spend the evening promenading to the lilt of player piano music or lovingly packing a cedar hope chest. You could relax in a well-worn saloon chair and then fall into an incredible log-frame bed. Bring Western antiques into your home and see what history, heritage, and style they carry with them.