Lot 421
Exceptional American Rococo Carved Rosewood Etagere, c. 1850-1860, attr. to John Henry Belter, New York, reticulated crest with phoenix, volutes, and scrolled acanthus; arched mirror flanked by four serpentine shelves, elaborately turned supports; shaped marble-top base with applied floral ornament, h. 132 in., w. 88 in. Provenance: The Service Collection, Estate of Grant A. Oakes, Warren, OH. accompaniedby a typed label, color snapshot, and copy of a 1968 Parke Bernet affidavit stating the étagère was part of the James E. Smitherman Estate, 3751 Fairfield Ave., Shreveport, LA. Note: This monumental étagère is remarkable even within the context of John Henry Belters illustrious body of work. The arched mirror and graduated side panels are identical in form to other known Belter examples from the Service, Rosalie and other private collections. At a height of eleven feet, this lot exceeds all other known examples of the form in size, ornament and intricacy. The carved decoration is the most complex of the group, featuring more purely attenuated Rococo scrolls and swags on the crest and supports. The use of fine and rare violet brocatelle marble for the plinth shelf of this piece is a departure from the white Carrara marbles seen elsewhere. John Henry Belter participated in the 1853 Crystal Palace Exhibition held in New York. The confluence of elements seen here indicate this étagère may have been a part of Belters entry. Ref.: Neal Auction Company lot 839, Sept. 16, 2012; lot 175, Jan. 31, 2015; lot 842, Feb. 1, 2015; lot 369, Nov. 21, 2015; Dubrow, Eileen and Richard. American Furniture of the 19th Century, 1840-1880. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2000, p. 205.
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|---|---|---|
| $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 |