A Very Important Labeled American Carved Walnut and Burl Walnut Sideboard, mid-19th c., stencilled label found at center area of the backboards, "A.C. Richards ... Makers ... ?11th St ...", Cincinnati, the monumental backsplash crested with a stag's head over two graduated shelves with mirrors between; the blocked marble top on a conforming lower cabinet with four drawers over four doors, the molded plinth on casters, the whole carved with fruiting, foliage and strapwork, good old patina, height 116.5in., width 70 in., depth 23 in E25000-35000 Provenance: Descended in the family of the legendary Col Edmund Hayes Taylor, Jr., famous distiller of Old Taylor Whiskey. Note: The naturalistic high relief carved elements seen in this example are indicative of a high-end maker of the Cincinnati school. Richards rivals Mitchell and Rammelsberg (1847-1881) with the virtuosity of carving and sophistication of design. This concentration on carving can also be seen in Cincinnati Aesthetic work of Benn Pittman (wc. 1870-1900) and brothers Henry and William H. Fry (wc. 1851-1885). This sideboard and the related hallstand, lot 841, are recently discovered furnishings from Col. Taylor's historic Frankfort, KY. home "Thistleton". Additional history and provenance available upon request. Reference: For examples from the workshops of Pittman and the Frys see Stein, Johnson, et al. In Pursuit of Beauty, pp. 32- 36 and p. 157, pl. 5-14; and Ellis, "Cincinnati Art Furniture", Magazine Antiques, April 1982, pp. 930-941. A Mitchell and Ramellsberg bed is illustrated in Beck, Book of American Furniture, p. 77.