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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Beckykelley79 on August 19, 2014, 08:42:58 AM

Title: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: Beckykelley79 on August 19, 2014, 08:42:58 AM

I have a piece of children's furniture that has been painted and re-painted blue and pink throughout the years. Was this a common practice for a specific time or country? I believe this piece of furniture is circa 1830s-1850s. Trying to research it but having no luck.

Thanks,
Becky

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: mart on August 19, 2014, 10:21:36 AM

http://jezebel.com/5790638/the-history-of-pink-for-girls-blue-for-boys

That was common from the early 1930`s to 1960`s !! The Smithsonian says 1940`s was when it became common !!  I think a bit earlier but will not argue with them !!  Here is a short history !!

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: cogar on August 20, 2014, 04:35:21 AM

If you look at some of the “primitive” paintings ….. it is hard to tell the little girls from the little boys because they were both dressed …… in dresses.

Like so, to wit:

Title: John Maddox with a Cat Object Name: painting Artist/Maker: English School, 19thC Role in production: artist Place of Creation: Europe, United Kingdom, England Date: 1815-1825 Accession

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046579785645/ (http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046579785645/)
http://www.pinterest.com/shariprowse/folk-art-children-primitive/ (http://www.pinterest.com/shariprowse/folk-art-children-primitive/)

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: mart on August 20, 2014, 06:02:11 AM

And all had long hair and curls !!

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: sugarcube5419 on August 20, 2014, 08:02:32 AM

and not always so long ago....there's a story in our family that our grandma who had six sons wanted a girl so badly she dressed one of them as a girl, including long hair --

he eventually grew married and had five sons of his own.  None of which were dressed as a girl.

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: Rauville on August 20, 2014, 08:29:28 AM

I used to always look for baby / children's clothing that had been saved from the early 1900's, and never recall coming across anything in the color pink. White seemed to be the most common.

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: mart on August 20, 2014, 12:45:02 PM

Almost all the photos you see from that period are also in white !!

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: cogar on August 21, 2014, 04:40:52 AM

HA,  ;D ;D ….. “pink n’ blue”, …. one of the first ever “sexual discrimination” products being offered by American manufacturers to increase their retail sales.

Title: Re: Painting furniture based on gender - what century/country did this?
Post by: mart on August 22, 2014, 05:33:36 AM

Didn`t think about that but you are probably right !!   ;D