Description:

Exceptional American Rococo Carved and Laminated Rosewood Etagere, mid-19th c., attr. to John Henry Belter, New York, crest centered with a federal shield surrounded by floral cascades, arched mirrored back, shaped graduated mirrored shelves, lotus-carved supports, serpentine marble top, leaf and floral carved base, acanthine turned feet, h. 90 1/2 in., w. 58 1/2 in., d. 16 1/2 in. Provenance: Neal Auction Company, Oct. 11, 2008, lot 391 Note: This étagère exhibits the overall form and specific ornament related to several well-known examples attributed to John Henry Belter. The shelves, carved supports, and shaped plinth are very similar to those of the "Rosalie" étagère in the Service Collection. The mirror moldings are identical to those on a console conserved by the New York State Historical Society. The broken pediment which is the underlying form for the unique carved crest is similar to that in a figure and bird carved étagère, also in the Service Collection, sold by Neal Auction Company as lot 175, January 31, 2015. The Federal shield and laurel wreath centering the crest on the étagère is a singular motif in Belter's oeuvre, and recalls the "Founding Fathers" busts adorning an important ebony and ivory center table in the New York Crystal Palace Exhibition of 1853 and later in the Manney Collection. The exceptional proportions and subject matter incorporated into this lot suggest this étagère was a notable commissioned piece, either for a patriotic collection, a public building, or an international exhibition. Ref.: Dubrow, Richard. American Furniture of the 19th c. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, pp. 145-150; Schwartz, Marvin. et. al. The Furniture of John Henry Belter and the Rococo Revival. New York: Dutton, 1981, p. 73, pl. 52, 52a.

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November 21, 2015 10:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

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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