Description:

American House of Representatives Carved Oak Armchair, c. 1857, attr. to Bembe and Kimbel, New York, after a design by Thomas Ustick Walter, federal shield crest, bellflower carving, beaded seat rail, faceted legs, cuff casters, h. 42 1/4 in., w. 24 1/2 in., d. 22 1/2 in. Note: The chair offered here was designed for the U.S. House of Representatives Chamber by Thomas Ustick Walter (1804-1887), who was the primary architect of the U.S. Capitol and designer of the interiors of the House of Representative wing. The chairs were in use from 1857 to 1873, when remodeling of the Capitol building resulted in the sale of Walter's furnishings. The crest rail of the chair features a star-and-stripes shield flanked by oak and laurel branches, symbols of longevity and victory which promoted the concept of Manifest Destiny, the 19th century American ideology that the nation must continue to expand westward across the continent and beyond. Ref.: “History, Art and Archives: U.S. House of Representatives,” http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/Capitol-Furniture/Capitol-Furniture/; “A Real Rare Victorian Mystery,” http://rarevictorian.com/2008/06/a-real-rare-victorian-mystery-part-iii.html.

  • 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 17, 2017 1:00 PM 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