On last summer’s westward excursion, we stopped for an afternoon in historic Deadwood, South Dakota. After lunching in a saloon, along Main Street’s strip, we explored the more gentile side of town. The Adams Museum delves into the town’s local history, which during its gold rush days featured such luminaries as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. In this museum we saw the pictured oak and walnut dining set, which was built in the 1930s by Anthime Leveque. Anne took these photos, because they reminded her of quilt designs.
Anthime Leveque emigrated from Quebec and at fourteen, began to work for the Home Stake Mining Company in nearby Lead, SD. He worked there his entire life. During his last twenty years of employment, he made furniture with a process called marquetry, a technique using small wood pieces to create surface decorations. Most woodwork of this kind uses thin layers of veneer. Leveque’s pieces are a full quarter-inch thick. His most ambitious set consisted of a quarter million pieces. This set of table and chairs includes a mere 4,500 section.
Great tables!
Imagine them as quilt blocks.
Yes!
He was my Mother’s Uncle, eldest brother to Egide George L’Eveque, my mother’s father.
Evidently he neglected to leave a will, which is why these don’t belong to her or her cousins.
Interesting history about the mines where my grandfather and Anthime’s other younger brothers worked.
I seem to resemble him a bit.
Great comment! Lot’s of background.
Ryan, who was your mother? He was my mother’s uncle as well. My grandmother was his youngest sister.
Do believe these were made by my great grandfather. My grandfather was Louis A Leveque from South Dakota and his dad was Anthime Leveque. I remember my Aunt having them at her home 40 years ago, she donated them.
Great workmenship