Encyclopedia Dubuque
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TAKOS, Peter G.: Difference between revisions
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Takos reproductions were beautiful and precise copies of vintage pieces, but were never sold as antiques. He specialized in side chairs from Early Americana though the Victorian era and pie crust and drop leaf tables made of walnut, mahogany, and cherry. One commission involved reproducing tables, chairs and benches from a nearby state for one of its century-old state houses for which few of its original pieces still existed. (2) | Takos reproductions were beautiful and precise copies of vintage pieces, but were never sold as antiques. He specialized in side chairs from Early Americana though the Victorian era and pie crust and drop leaf tables made of walnut, mahogany, and cherry. One commission involved reproducing tables, chairs and benches from a nearby state for one of its century-old state houses for which few of its original pieces still existed. (2) | ||
Stories about some of the projects involved the origin of the materials. A Victorian dining room set or ten chairs, a large drop leaf, extension table and a breakfront were created from an old walnut tree. A couple had asked Takos to use this particular wood because it came from a tree under which their children had played. Another assignment had been to convert an old bed belonging to one of Dubuque's first bishops into an altar and kneeler. The ornately carved head of the bed was made into the front of the altar while the foot of the bed became the kneeler. (3) | Stories about some of the projects involved the origin of the materials. A Victorian dining room set or ten chairs, a large drop leaf, extension table and a breakfront were created from an old walnut tree. A couple had asked Takos to use this particular wood because it came from a tree under which their children had played. Another assignment had been to convert an old bed belonging to one of Dubuque's first bishops into an altar and kneeler. The ornately carved head of the bed was made into the front of the altar while the foot of the bed became the kneeler. (3) It is believed some of his earliest furniture was made from gunstocks which were no longer needed by the military after [[WORLD WAR I]]. (4) His perfection led to the company's trade area expanding from the local area to 1950 when a majority of its business came from outside Iowa. | ||
A proud member of the Greek community in Dubuque, Takos was a charter member of the Greek organization [[AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION (AHEPA)]]. ( | A proud member of the Greek community in Dubuque, Takos was a charter member of the Greek organization [[AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION (AHEPA)]]. (5) His barber bottle collection was considered one of the largest in the United States. In September, 1976 an exhibit of some of his furniture and antiques was held at the [[CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY]]. | ||
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3. Ibid. | 3. Ibid. | ||
4. | 4. Mozena | ||
5. "Greek-Americans Here Organized," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', June 5, 1930, p. 41 | |||
[[Category: Business Leader]] | [[Category: Business Leader]] | ||
Revision as of 17:43, 1 March 2018
TAKOS, Peter G. (Farnari, Greece-Dubuque, IA, Sept. 29, 1976). Takos came to the United States in 1918 and became a United States citizen in 1936. (1) He founded the PETER TAKOS & COMPANY in 1922 and became renowned for his company's restoration of antique furniture and his specialty of restoring and repairing old musical instruments. A cabinet maker might rebuild a frame, specialists in finishing were consulted, and upholsters completed the project.
Takos reproductions were beautiful and precise copies of vintage pieces, but were never sold as antiques. He specialized in side chairs from Early Americana though the Victorian era and pie crust and drop leaf tables made of walnut, mahogany, and cherry. One commission involved reproducing tables, chairs and benches from a nearby state for one of its century-old state houses for which few of its original pieces still existed. (2)
Stories about some of the projects involved the origin of the materials. A Victorian dining room set or ten chairs, a large drop leaf, extension table and a breakfront were created from an old walnut tree. A couple had asked Takos to use this particular wood because it came from a tree under which their children had played. Another assignment had been to convert an old bed belonging to one of Dubuque's first bishops into an altar and kneeler. The ornately carved head of the bed was made into the front of the altar while the foot of the bed became the kneeler. (3) It is believed some of his earliest furniture was made from gunstocks which were no longer needed by the military after WORLD WAR I. (4) His perfection led to the company's trade area expanding from the local area to 1950 when a majority of its business came from outside Iowa.
A proud member of the Greek community in Dubuque, Takos was a charter member of the Greek organization AMERICAN HELLENIC EDUCATIONAL PROGRESSIVE ASSOCIATION (AHEPA). (5) His barber bottle collection was considered one of the largest in the United States. In September, 1976 an exhibit of some of his furniture and antiques was held at the CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
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Source:
1. Darryl Mozena, interview, March 1, 2018
2. Black, Judy. "Takos Has Coast-to Coast Trade, The Antique Dealer, February 1950
3. Ibid.
4. Mozena
5. "Greek-Americans Here Organized," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, June 5, 1930, p. 41