The Collection of Bud & Ruth Meader | November 21, 2026

In this session

Selected Highlights

Important New Hampshire Chippendale Cherry Slant-Lid Desk, Samuel Dunlap, Bedford, Circa 1790

Rare New Hampshire Federal Grain-Painted Birch and Maple Tall Case Clock, The Case John Dunlap, Antrim, The Movement Most Likely Concord, Dated 1807

New Hampshire Birch and Curly Birch Veneer Tall Case Clock, James Charles Cole (Boston, Massachusetts, 1791-Rochester, New Hampshire, 1867), Rochester, Circa 1805

New Hampshire Maple Chest-on-Chest-on-Frame, Attributed to the Dunlap Family of Cabinetmakers, 1780-1790

New Hampshire Queen Anne Tiger Maple Flat-Top Highboy, Portsmouth, Attributed to Joseph Davis, 1775-1790

Joseph H. Davis (American, 1811-1865). Rare Double Portrait of Amasu and Maria L. Jones, 1835

Joseph H. Davis (American, 1811-1863). Rare Double Portrait of Joseph C. Wentworth and Tryphena B. Wentworth, 1835

New Hampshire Queen Anne Tiger Maple High Chest of Drawers, Joel Joslyn (Henniker, New Hampshire, 1776-Pembroke, New York, 1831), 1793-1797

Coastal Maine Paint Decorated Cupboard, Kittery, 18th Century — Coastal Maine Paint Decorated Cupboard, Kittery, 18^th Century

Rare New Hampshire Pine Shelf Clock, Benjamin Morrill (Boscawen, New Hampshire, 1794-1857), Boscawen, Circa 1820

New Hampshire Mahogany and White Pine Shelf Clock, Stephen Hasham (Boston, Massachusetts, 1764-Charlestown, New Hampshire, 1861), Charlestown, Circa 1810

New Hampshire Chippendale Maple Chest-on-Chest, Possibly Moses Hazen, Jr., (Rowley, Massachusetts, 1776-Weare, New Hampshire, 1837), Bradford or Weare, Circa 1805

New Hampshire Federal Figured Birch-Inlaid Cherry and Maple Tilt-Top Candlestand, Possibly Levi Bartlett (Salisbury, 1784-1864), Concord or Salisbury, Circa 1808

New Hampshire Painted Pine Fireboard From the Nute/Fernald Homestead, Wolfeboro, Circa 1815

Frank Henry Shapleigh (American, 1842-1906). "Nute Farm, Milton, New Hampshire", 1885

New Hampshire Iron Full-Bodied Horse Weathervane, Rochester Iron Works, Rochester, 1875-1885

Joseph H. Davis (American, 1811-1863). Portrait of Richard B. Foss, 1836

Frank Henry Shapleigh (American, 1842-1906). "Moat Mountain from Old Barn in Jackson", 1889

Eliza S. Cate's Needlework Sampler, Strafford, Dated September 21, 1821

Rufus Porter (American, 1792-1884). Portrait of Rufus Porter, Jr., 1834

William McNeill's Rare New Hampshire Rifleman's or Pocket Powder Horn, New Boston, Dated 1762

Pair of New Hampshire Painted Leather Fire Buckets, J.D. Colony, Keene, 1820-1840

George Ffrost's Pair of New Hampshire Painted Leather Fire Buckets, Durham, Dated 1814

Rare New Hampshire Boxed Brass Surveyor's Compass, Abiel Chandler, Concord

Rare Maine Mahogany Shelf Clock, Attributed to John Taber (1796-1859), Berwick, Circa 1825

Fine Stephen Davis and Sally J. (Dyer) Davis Family Record, the "Heart and Hand Artist", (Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, fl. 1849-1858), Nottingham, Moultonboro and Pittsfield, New Hampshire, December 28, 1856 — Fine Stephen Davis and Sally J. (Dyer) Davis Family Record, the "Heart and Hand Artist," (Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, fl. 1849-1858), Nottingham, Moultonboro and Pittsfield, New Hampshire, December 28, 1856

Ezekiel Hall and Jane (Ianson) Hall Family Record, the "Heart and Hand Artist", (Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, fl. 1849-1858), Barrington, New Hampshire, The Latest Date May 1st 1883 — Ezekiel Hall and Jane (Ianson) Hall Family Record, the "Heart and Hand Artist," (Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, fl. 1849-1858), Barrington, New Hampshire, The Latest Date May 1^st, 1883

Rare New Hampshire Mahogany Shelf Clock, Silas Parsons (1773-1859), Swanzey, Circa 1815

Small New Hampshire Iron Full-Bodied Weathervane, Rochester Iron Works, Rochester, 1875-1885

New Hampshire William & Mary Maple and Hickory Bannister-Back Side Chair, Portsmouth Area, Circa 1750

Rhode Island Chippendale Tiger Maple Tall Chest

Large New Hampshire Iron Full-Bodied Weathervane, Rochester Iron Works, Rochester, 1875-1885

New England Smoke-Decorated and Painted Pine Trunk, Attributed to Rufus Porter (1792-1884), 19th Century — New England Smoke-Decorated and Painted Pine Trunk, Attributed to Rufus Porter (1792-1884), 19^th Century

New Hampshire Slat-Back Armchair with Drinking Arm, Portsmouth Area, 1735-1770, illustrated in Wallace Nutting 'Furniture Treasury', fig. 1868 — New Hampshire Slat-Back Armchair with Drinking Arm, Portsmouth Area, 1735-1770, illustrated in Wallace Nutting "Furniture Treasury", fig. 1868

New Hampshire Sword, Made by John Ward Gilman (1741-1843), Exeter

Rare New Hampshire Sheraton Paint-Decorated White Pine and Maple Fancy Dressing Table, David Colby (act. circa 1835), Croydon Village, 1835

Their Story

A Lifetime Devoted to New Hampshire

The Collection of Bud and Ruth Meader is a testament to their enthusiasm for the furniture, folk art, decorative arts and paintings of New Hampshire. After founding several successful businesses, it was this drive and attention to detail that carried over into their lives as collectors, accumulating a carefully curated and diverse collection with one undeniable theme - New Hampshire.

Living their adult lives in their namesake of Meaderboro (a small historic area and road in Rochester, New Hampshire), and because Ruth was from Strafford, they preferred to acquire pieces from these and surrounding areas. Adventurous forays took them to farm and estate sales throughout New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Their son Bob remembers looking forward to antiquing trips with Bud and Ruth because once they were off the main roads Bob was allowed to drive. After Ruth’s passing in 2016, Bud continued to buy from dealers and at antiques shows. Dealers say he was friendly and generous, choosing not to haggle and appreciating the knowledge they imparted in the vetting of items for the collection.

Bud collected objects ranging from sets of bog shoes for horses to Dunlap highboys and everything in between. Scholarship and provenance were important to both. Ruth kept meticulous files of articles, advertisements, trade clippings and photographs pertaining to each item, and undertook genealogical research on many of the people listed in family records and samplers. Bud was interested in provenance and if a piece came out of a local house it meant that much more to him. In addition to the research, every piece of furniture, folk art, needlework and wrought-iron was thoughtfully curated and placed in the home, within the context of a specific school, discipline, geographic area or time.

Bud and Ruth took tremendous joy in their family, friends, antiques, vintage automobiles, trucks and tractors, and Belgian horses. They loved the Meaderboro area, and their passionate dedication to collecting the best they could find has resulted in the most important collection of New Hampshire art and antiques to ever come to market. Devin Moisan Auctioneers is pleased and proud to present The Collection of Bud and Ruth Meader, celebrating their lives spent dedicated to the history, craftsmanship and preservation of New Hampshire furniture and decorative arts.