Autobiography of Nettie Covey Sharpe
The Seeds of a Lifelong Passion
I began collecting objects in my hometown of Woburn when I was still a girl. I would go to the neighbours and to other families and I’d ask, “Do you have any old things?” — “Well, I’m not really sure.” — “Could I have a look in your cupboards?” That’s what I’d do. But that was before I got married and moved to Montreal. I acquired my first piece — a small glass rooster — from the village. It was a very pretty piece of early American milk glass in full colour.
I began collecting those sorts of objects in the Lac Mégantic area. Where I lived, the families weren’t as old as the ones in Quebec City, or the ones along the St. Lawrence River. But they still had lots of small pieces in their homes which were quite interesting: American glass, lamps, older dishes and all sorts of other things.
I collected glass for several years. There was a lot of it here in Quebec.
Mostly nice lamps — all sorts of lovely lamps. But I couldn’t collect Quebec glass — pieces from the St. Lawrence Glass Company, for example — because there just wasn’t any. Only a few small pieces, because there was no major producer around there. But there was a great deal of pottery and earthenware from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
So, at the begining, I mostly found American glass. At the time, that sort of glass was already 50-60-70 years old. After American glass, I turned to furniture, then pottery, then folk art. I found some very nice pieces of folk art and lovely trunks and chests as well. I found some of them — along with other things — in Montreal, but also in the Beauce and elsewhere. I believe that, to be able to build a collection like this, you have to love the handcrafted perfection of each design, and admire the clean and simple look, the restraint.
Gallery
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Butter dish in the shape of a nesting hen, made from coloured milk glass. It was probably the first object collected by Nettie Covey before her marriage in 1934.
Made in the United States in the final quarter of the nineteenth century
CMCC 2002.125.1131 a-b
Wendy Tilley
CMCC D2004-00367
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Glass butter dish with cover in the shape of a rabbit.
Late 19th century
CMCC 2002.125.1162 a-b
Wendy Tilley
CMCC S2003-3843
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Serving platter with cover in the shape of a duck, in coloured milk glass.
Late 19th century
Inscription on the base: "PAT D MARCH 15-1887".
CMCC 2002.125.530 a-b
Wendy Tilley
CMCC S2003-3518
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Water glass decorated with beavers and maple leaves, produced by the Excelsior Glass Co., of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Montreal, for St. Jean Baptiste Day on June 24, 1880.
CMCC 2002.125.1126.3
John Staunton
CMCC S2003-3827
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These bowls and plates were called "Portneuf" because they were found in large volume in that region. However, these bowls were actually made in Scotland for markets throughout the British Empire. It is believed that a boat sank off of Portneuf, in the rapids of the St. Lawrence, and that the cargo washed ashore at villages throughout the region.
Steven Darby, 2002
CMCC K2002-558
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Wooden Heart
From a wayside cross
CMCC-2002.125.908
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Leather heart used to decorate the reins of a pair of horses.
CMCC-2002.125.906
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0011-Dp1
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Pink Platter
Fine earthenware, with a view of Quebec City from the Citadel: Dufferin Terrace near the Château Frontenac Hotel, and the St. Lawrence River. Imported by F.T. Thomas of Quebec City.
CMCC-2002.125.666
Wendy Tilley
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0009-Dp1
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Duck-Shaped Chocolate Mould
19th century
Cast iron
CMCC-2002.125.485 a-b
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0023-Dp1
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Trivet for Hot Kettle or Pot
18th century
Forged iron
CMCC-2002.125.1373
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0026-Dp1
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Small Box for Knick-Knacks
CMCC-2002.125.357
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0017-Dp1
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Chamberstick
CMCC-2002.125.241
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0015-Dp1
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Bowl
Decorated with birds on branches Produced by George Jones & Sons Ltd, England
Late 19th century
CMCC-2002.125.629
CMCC IMG2009-0156-0024-Dp1
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