If you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind treasure, you’re a true lover of fine things, and you only want to deal with the best of all experts, you’re probably already a regular client of Laster’s Fine Art & Antiques in Winston-Salem.
For buying, selling, or consigning, father and son duo Larry and Ryan Laster are the consummate professionals – with the extensive knowledge needed to back their business. Customers know, without a doubt, every piece in the store exhibits the finest quality and value. Whether you’re browsing collections of solid wood furniture, historic books, unique home accessories, traditional china and flatware, or even vintage jewelry, you’ll recognize every piece has withstood the test of time in glorious style!
For this month’s issue, Ryan introduces us to four of their current favorite treasures, each with its own unique style and significance. If you like what you see, stop by Laster’s for what is always a colorful adventure!
Louis Guidetti
“We are honored to have a collection of works by local artist Louis Guidetti,” says Ryan. “Guidetti is a classical realist painter who studied and taught at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy. After six years of study in Italy, he returned to the U.S., where he currently works out of a studio in downtown Winston-Salem. Guidetti paints just about everything from still-life to landscapes, but he is most known for his portraits and sacred works.”
The Book of Hours
“The Book of Hours is a late medieval prayer book containing psalms and devotions for the eight canonical hours of the day,” explains Ryan. “This early religious text was able to reach an audience that had never before owned books, and for many, it was the only book they ever handled.” Most copies of The Book of Hours were produced in the 15th and 16th centuries and were passed down from generation to generation. The particular copy at Laster’s was completed sometime in the mid-1400s.
Petersen Chest of Drawers
Karsten Petersen arrived in the United States from Denmark in 1806, and set up a workshop in Salem, NC, in 1813. “At first he produced chairs, tables, and textile equipment, then he later transitioned to furniture pieces such as cupboards, chests of drawers, and other case pieces defining mid-19th century Salem furniture,” says Ryan. “This beautiful two-over-three chest of drawers was recently sold in our shop for $899. Petersen would have made this sometime in the 1840s to early 1850s, and it was constructed with solid walnut boards and poplar secondary. The rounded corners at the top — along with the turned feet — are representative of Petersen’s work.”
Map of North Carolina
Ryan says maps have been a staple of Laster’s business for decades. “Our inventory is filled with maps from countries all over the world, some dating back as early as the 1600s. The map featured here is one of the rarer examples, as it only existed in the 1850-edition of the Mitchell’s Universal Atlas,” he explains. “This map also features the North Carolina gold region highlighted by an inset in the lower-left corner. Gold was first discovered in Cabarrus County in 1799 by 12-year-old Conrad Reed, and additional gold deposits were soon discovered in neighboring counties, resulting in a gold rush becoming a major factor in the settlement of the western parts of North Carolina.”
Find your own treasures – and savor a bit of history – with a visit to Laster’s Fine Art & Antiques at 664 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem, 336-765-5919, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Follow them on Facebook for updates on estate sales and new shop arrivals, and be sure to bookmark Lastersfineart.com.
