11-19-201611-19-2016
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2961BBoston
November 19, 2016 10:00 AMCalender
363

Set of Twelve Carved Mahogany and Mahogany Veneer Grecian Side Chairs

Sell one like this
$79,950$65,000
Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2961BLocation: BostonDate / Time: November 19, 2016 10:00AM

Description:

Set of Twelve Carved Mahogany and Mahogany Veneer Grecian Side Chairs, Boston, c. 1815-25, the scrolled leaf-carved backs centering panels above deeply curved molded stiles continuing to scroll-carved seat rails, flanking the splat with carved drapery and scrolled anthemia, the upholstered seats on leaf-carved molded shaped legs joined by a front rail with angled reeding centering leaves, (imperfections and repairs),ht. 33 3/4, seat ht. 18 in.

Provenance: Descended in the Fales family of Boston, possibly originally owned by a resident of the Fales House, one of nineteen neoclassical homes designed c. 1810 by Charles Bulfinch and known as Colonnade Row.

Literature: For an illustration and discussion of an identical chair (one of a pair owned by Winterthur),see Wendy A. Cooper, Classical Taste in America, 1800-1840, the Baltimore Museum of Art, Abbeville Press, 1993, fig. 77, pp. 112-15.
Estimate $15,000-25,000

1. Top quarter of table broken and needs re-gluing and associated veneer in panel. Stable crack in the drapery part of the splat. Bottom of front legs scuffed and worn.
2. Top quarter of crest rail has been broken and repaired. Some wear on the knees and loss of detail on the bottom of the foot.
3. Good overall condition, some wear on the knees and bottom of the front legs.
4. Good overall condition, some wear on the knees and bottom of the front legs.
5. Proper left of the tablet has been broken with the grain, repaired and is stable. Some tight with-the-grain shrinkage cracks on the front legs.
6. Good overall condition, some wear on the knees and bottom of the front legs. Some tight with-the-grain shrinkage cracks on the front legs.
7. Good overall condition, some wear on the knees and bottom of the front legs.
8. Splat broken away from the stiles and repaired (does not show from the front of the chair). Proper left rear leg was broken and re-glued and pinned twice, and is missing a piece of wood from the back side of the leg just below the carved detail.
9. Splat broken away from the stiles and repaired, left side appears to have been partially patched/reconstructed.
10. Good overall condition, some wear on the knees and bottom of the front legs.
11. Upper right stile broken and repaired, rear right leg diagonally broken at the frame and repined.
12. Stable shrinkage crack in the drapery splat, right rear leg replaced, left rear leg cracked and glued.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

Charles Bulfinch, Wendy A. Cooper