Neal Auction 2012

W denotes the lot is illustrated at www.nealauction.com 53 185. An Important Pair of American Aesthetic Carved Mahogany Side Chairs , c. 1875-1880, attributed to Herter Bros., New York, each with tall tapering finials, incurvate incised crest rail, spindle splat in a square framework, ring-turned stiles, tapering legs joined by stretchers. $5000/7000 Note: These chairs are identical to a chair pictured in the library of landscape painter and Associated Artists designer Samuel Colman’s Rhode Island cottage. The supports, ring turnings and spindles in the chairs are nearly identical to those on ebonized and inlaid chairs by Herter Brothers in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. 93.15), the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art (acc. 1928.121-1) respectively. Light and linear in form, the Herter chairs are influenced by Japanese aesthetics and relate closely to oak dining chairs designed in 1869 by E.W. Godwin for Dromore Castle, Limerick County, Ireland and published in William Watts. Art Furniture from Designs by E.W. Godwin, F.S.A. and Others , 1877. Reference: Howe, et. al. Herter Brothers, Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age , p. 193-4, fig. 33. 186. An American Renaissance Ebonized, Inlaid and Bronze-Mounted Rosewood Parlor Cabinet , c. 1865, possibly Alexander Roux, New York, shaped top, floral frieze above a paneled door with reserve depicting a child leading a goat, flanked by incurvate sides with agrarian trophées, conforming shaped base, height 45 1/2 in., width 58 1/2 in., depth 19 in. $4000/6000 Note: The high quality and attention to detail expressed in the present lot, both in the inlay and bronze mounts, bespeaks an accomplished New York City maker working in the manner of Alexander Roux. 187. An American Aesthetic Carved Walnut Dressing Table , c. 1870-80, Herter Bros., New York, rectangular molded lift top enclosing beveled mirror plate and satinwood fitted compartments, over long drawer, ring-turned and blocked legs, conforming stretchers, outswept brass feet, height 28 1/2 in., width 26 in., depth 18 in. $3000/5000 Note: Several elements on this dressing table relate to known Herter examples. The escutcheons are identical to one on a desk made for Jay Gould with Herter’s 1882 bill of sale, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. 69.146.3). The turned supports and stretchers are nearly identical to those on a side chair bearing the Herter impressed mark “4430”, also at the Met (acc. 93.15). The incised stiles, drawer fronts and returns relate closely to those on a walnut dresser bearing the Herter stamp sold in these rooms December 4, 1993. Reference: Howe, et. al. Herter Brothers, Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age . pp. 193 and 196-197, figs. 33 and 35. 186 185 187 187 (open)