Neal Auction Louisiana Purchase 2015

32 146. Polychrome Plaster Bust of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807‑1882) , 19th/20th c., after the 1884 marble bust by Sir Thomas Brock (British, 1847‑1922) in the Poets’ Corner, Westminster Abbey, h. 32 in., w. 25 in. $800/1200 147. American Classical Mahogany Pier Mirror , c. 1825‑1835, New York, stenciled maker’s mark reading “…Miller, looking glass maker, 84 Mark Street, New York”, molded and stepped cornice above oil on board painting of a sailing ship by a lighthouse, rectangular mirror plate, flanked by spiral and acanthus carved columns with gilt brass medallions, h. 43 1/2 in., w. 19 1/2 in. $800/1200 Ill.: Boor, Allison, et al. Philadelphia Empire Furniture . p. 522 fig. 353. 148. American Mahogany Eight‑Day Banjo Clock , c. 1825, the dial inscribed “Warrented by Wm. Cummens” (William Cummens, Roxbury, MA.), the mahogany frame fitted with glass tablets, the lower depicting “The Constitution’s Escape”, h. 34 in., w. 10 in., d. 3 3/4 in. $1000/1500 149. American “House of Representatives” Carved Oak Armchair , c. 1856, attr. to Bembe & Kimbel, New York, after a design by Thomas U. Walter, three‑star Federal crest flanked by oak branches, outswept husk‑carved arms with pads, bowed seat with guilloche rail, turned lotus‑carved legs, brass casters, retains attractive reddish patina, original “Summer” seat; stamped “119”, h. 42 in., w. 25 in., d. 21 in. $6000/8000 Note: The designer of this chair, Thomas Ustick Walter (1804‑1887), architect of the U.S. Capitol, was responsible for the interiors of the House of Representative wing. The chairs were in use from 1857 to 1873, when remodeling resulted in the sale of Walter’s furnishings. Other chairs from this group have been sold in these rooms, as lot 496 on Oct. 4, 2003, lot 553 on Feb. 18, 2005, and lot 262 Feb. 23, 2008. Ref.: High Museum of Art, Art and Enterprise , pp. 366‑367. Interestingly, one of the most iconic and poignant photographs of President Abraham Lincoln (Library of Congress, Brady-Handy Collection) shows him sitting in an identical “House of Representatives” armchair with his son Tad in the studio of famed American photographer Mathew Brady. The chair, believed to be a gift to Brady from Lincoln, was used in the portraits of many prominent nineteenth-century American historical figures. Ref: Meredith, Roy. Lincoln’s Camera Man: Mathew Brady . 1946 pp.78-81 150. American “House of Representatives” Carved Oak Desk , c. 1856, attr. to Bembe & Kimbel, New York, after a design by Thomas U. Walter, top rail centered with a three‑star Federal crest, lidded well, slanted writing surface with drawer; back intricately carved and reticulated, scroll brackets on modified trestle base, casters, h. 37 1/2 in., w. 29 1/2 in., d. 21 in. $5000/7000 Note: This desk was designed by Thomas Ustick Walter for the House of Representatives Chamber, in use after 1857. Desks in the chamber were of two forms, a two compartment desk to accommodate two sitters, likely installed in the center aisle of the chamber, and single seat desks such as the lot featured here.