Lot 345
Very Rare and Historic American Rococo Carved and Laminated Rosewood Parlor Suite, c. 1850-1860, attr. to John Henry Belter, New York, incl. triple back sofa, pair of meridiennes and four side chairs, each with carved historical bust, scrolled and pierced back, shaped seat, foliate apron, turned stop-fluted legs, casters, later Napoleonic bee upholstery, sofa h. 44 in., w. 73 1/2 in., d. 30 in.; meridiennes h. 38 in., w. 42 in., d. 24 in. Provenance: Noted collection of Richard and Gloria Manney; The Service Collection, Estate of Grant A. Oakes, Warren, OH. Note: The suite offered here is an exceptionally rare group of furniture by the illustrious New York cabinetmaker John Henry Belter. The suite, which prominently features carved busts of American political and European literary luminaries, is reflective of a specific moment in mid-19th century U.S. history and pays homage to the identity and idealism of the young and expanding American republic. The busts surmounting the settee are identified as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, who have been historicized within American culture as the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. The two méridiennes feature the busts of English poets William Shakespeare and John Milton, and the four side chairs feature busts of Chaucer, Dante, Virgil, and Homer. The grouping of prominent Americans with some of the most influential literary figures of English and European history may have been a statement representative of the growing power and importance of the United States on the world stage and establishing Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson as philosophical intellectuals on par with these literary figuresa notable commentary coming from Belter, who immigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1833. The seven-piece suite is also stylistically rare among Belters work, featuring exaggerated scrolled backs and Louis XVI-style fluted legs, as opposed to the typical Louis XV-style cabriole leg more commonly seen on Belter furniture. The side chairs include round seats, in contrast to the signature serpentine-shaped Belter seat. Due to the political and literary decorative themes within this suite, it is possible Belter intended for this group to be completely distinctive from his more naturalistic Rococo style. Ill./Ref.: Dubrow, Eilieen and Richard. American Furniture of the 19th Century, 1840-1888. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 1983, pp. 110-112; Schwartz, Marvin. Edward Stanek, and Douglas True. The Furniture of John Henry Belter and the Rococo Revival. New York: Dutton, 1981, pp. 48, 49, 60, 66.
- 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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| 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 |