Neal Auction Louisiana Purchase 2015

Additional information at www.nealauction.com 3 ROSEDOWN PLANTATION “It is one of the most admired country estates in America and stands forth as a testament to its builders and the era which inspired it.” The Barrow Family of Old Louisiana , William Barrow Floyd Rosedown Plantation was built by Daniel Turnbull (1796-1861) andMartha Hilliard Barrow Turnbull (1809-1896) in 1834. Well-educated and well-traveled, the Turnbulls collected throughout Europe and America. The house and its splendid collection would remain in their family through the Civil War, Reconstruction and two World Wars, passing to their daughter, Sarah Turnbull Bowman (1831-1914) and son-in-law, James Pirrie Bowman (1832-1927), then to their unmarried Bowman granddaughters. After the death of the last granddaughter, Rosina, the property was put on the market. The group of Rosedown objects presented in this catalogue was inherited by the Turnbulls’ great-great-grandson, William Johnston Fort IV. It encompasses fine furnishings and decorations as well as period household objects. Highlights are the octagonal center table and two chairs from the famous “Henry Clay” suite of bedroom furniture purchased from Crawford Riddell of Philadelphia in 1845. By tradition the suite had been commissioned by supporters of 1844 Presidential candidate Henry Clay to be presented to him after his election; when Clay was defeated by James K. Polk, it was sold to the Turnbulls instead. The “Henry Clay” suite was comprised of an armoire, bed, dressing bureau, cheval mirror, two washstands, six chairs and an octagonal table. The existence of the octagonal table was, for many years, known only to the Turnbull/Bowman/Fort family and a few scholars. It is a truly exciting decorative arts discovery. Neal Auction Company is honored to be entrusted to present this important group of furnishings, decorations and artifacts from Rosedown, which has descended in the Turnbull/Bowman/Fort family to the present day. Ref. Floyd, William Barrow. The Barrow Family of Old Louisiana ; www.dma.org/collection/artwork/crawford- riddell/bed Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952). Photo Courtesy of the Collections of the Louisiana State Museum.