Description:

American Rococo Carved Mahogany Tester Bed, mid-19th c., New Orleans, likely the workshop of Prudent Mallard, molded tester, columnar posts, serpentine foliate carved headboard with beaded panel, conforming foot board and rails, h. 113 in., l. 83 in., w. 69 in. Provenance: Colonel William and Catherine Balfour, Homewood Plantation, Natchez, MS. Note: The monumental tester bed in the lot shown here belonged to Colonel William and Catherine Balfour and was used in their palatial Greek Revival mansion at Homewood Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi. Homewood was built in 1860 as a wedding gift to Colonel William and Catherine Balfour from Catherine’s father, David Hunt, a wealthy planter. Similar to many Natchez homes during this period, such as Lansdowne and Stanton Hall, Homewood was decorated with Rococo furniture from the workshop of New Orleans cabinetmaker Prudent Mallard. The overall design and specific aspects of this historic bed can be referenced to known Mallard examples, especially the bed’s serpentine head board and the robust foliate and shell-carved accents. Ref. Miller, Mary Carol. Lost Mansions of Mississippi. University of Mississippi Press: Jackson, 2010, pp. 15-16; Dubrow, Eileen and Richard. American Furniture of the 19th Century: 1840-1880. Schiffer: Pennsylvania, 1983, pp. 156-157.

  • Condition: All lots are sold “As is” and “Where is”. Neal Auction provides condition reports on items with a low estimate over $500 as a courtesy to aid in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalogue or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. Completed condition reports are posted as an additional image with the lot. Neal Auction does not give refunds.

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November 19, 2017 11:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $10,000
$2,000,000 $2,999,999 $15,000
$3,000,000 + $20,000