Description:

Rare American Aesthetic Carved Walnut Center Table, late 19th c., attr. to Allen and Brother, Philadelphia, shaped variegated marble top, carved and incised frieze, carved owls over cabriole legs, with paw feet, turned and fluted legs with disc feet at center, X-stretcher centered by a medallion, casters, h. 30 in., w. 45 1/2 in., d. 29 1/2 in. Note: The high-style table in the present lot features a shaped variegated marble top, exuberantly carved owls, and bold architectural and mechanical turnings, all aspects of fine Renaissance revival and aesthetic furniture by the Philadelphia firm Allen & Brother. William Allen Sr., a purveyor of exotic woods and furniture, was succeeded by his sons in 1847, who took over the workshop located at 137 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. By 1869, the firm had solidified a reputation for fine goods and custom cabinetwork. It was during this period that the firm produced their finest examples, such as the center table offered here. The Allen & Brother firm was well-known for fantastical figural, mythological, and animal carvings, such as the owls found on this lot. The carved owls directly relate to an Allen & Brother settee sold in these salesrooms on February 19, 2005 as lot 492, previously held in the collection of the High Museum in Atlanta. The variegated marble top paired with figural carvings are similar to another center table by the firm in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Ref.: Talbot. “Allen and Brother, Philadelphia Furniture Makers,” Magazine Antiques, May 1996. pp. 716-722; Dubrow, Eileen and Richard. American Furniture of the Nineteenth Century. Schiffer: Pennsylvania, 1983, p. 13.; Philadelphia Museum of Art Collections. philamuseum.org/collections/permanent. Accessed October 16, 2017.

  • 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
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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