I have an old oak library Table and it has two different tags. I am hoping to find out which company made it, and approximately when.Inside the drawer is what appears to be a paper or sticker label adhered firmly and complete "Leavens Furniture Specialists Bostson". On the bottom is a brass tag fastened by 2 nails that reads "Paine Furniture Co. Boston, Mass." It is a nice table, very well made. Any information regarding this table would be very welcome. Thanks I have other pictures, can I post more than 1 photo here?
Interesting question. Both companies manufactured furniture, in fact they were neighbors on Canal street in Boston.
My inclination would be that the piece was manufactured by Leavens and sold by Paine. Of the two, Paine Furniture Co. was also in the business of interior design. They had a huge retail furniture store and were dealers in rugs, wallpaper, draperies, etc.
I'm sure Lauren meant that Leavens discontinued the mission style furniture after 1917.
I have a number of House Beautiful magazines from 1905 to 1920 with a variety of images of Leavens pieces. Leavens marketed their Cottage Furniture specifically for the carriage trade to use in their summer and country homes. They had both a Mission/Dutch line similar to Limbert (which appeared in nearby ads) and a Colonial line, which survived through the 1920s.
While your item was made by a highly regarded company, its basic construction, material, and style, in my humble opinion, would give it only a nominal value. Unless of course, you find at least one person who is searching for a piece of this size, or made by this particular company. Still, it is a cute conversation piece. Thanks.
