| Press Contact: | Catherine Riedell | Stephen Fletcher, Director |
| Director of Marketing | American Furniture & Decorative Arts | |
| Skinner, Inc | Skinner, Inc | |
|
978-779-6341, x231 |
978-779-6241 ext. 228 |
SKINNER TO AUCTION VERY RARE
CHIPPENDALE BOMBE CHEST-ON-CHEST
One of Only Six of Its Kind Known to Exist
Once Owned by Prominent Merchant Robert "King" Hooper
BOSTON, Mass. - October 9, 2003 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will offer at auction an incredibly rare and important piece of American furniture: a Chippendale mahogany carved scroll-top bombé chest-on-chest. The piece is one of only six of its kind known to exist today, and is estimated at $1.5 to $2 million. The chest will be offered in Skinner's November 1st auction of American Furniture & Decorative Arts, to be held in its Boston Gallery.
American bombé furniture was chiefly made in Boston in the third quarter 18th century, and was in favor for only a few decades, its appeal fading by the end of the century. These pieces were extremely difficult to make, with their complex curves and support systems, and represent a highly sophisticated form of early American furniture. This chest-on-chest is particularly rare and desirable, as it was made in Boston or the North Shore of Massachusetts, and is in very fine condition, retaining its old surface and original brasses. Stylistically, the piece most closely resembles one in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg.
According to renowned furniture expert and conservator Robert D. Mussey, Jr., "for balance harmony and architecturally derived proportion, few Boston cases exceed this one. It blends the flat planes of the upper case facade and sides with especially successful curves of the bombé lower case, ogee bracket feet, and beautiful serpentine shaping of the scrolled pediment."
Also notable is the provenance of the chest. Family papers verify that the piece once belonged to Robert "King" Hooper, prominent Marblehead merchant and one of the wealthiest men in 18th century America. Hooper, through a series of provident events and strategic decisions, became a powerful force in the colonial fishing industry in Massachusetts, playing a vital role in providing cargo essential to the British "Triangle Trade". A Loyalist during the American Revolution, Hooper subsequently lost the fortune he had amassed, but in the middle decades of the 18th century, his lifestyle and the home and furnishings he enjoyed had reflected that of British high society across the ocean.
"Simply put, it's the finest example of American furniture I've ever found in 35 years of working in this business, and Skinner is truly privileged to have the opportunity to offer it at auction, notes Stephen Fletcher, noted expert of American furniture, popular appraiser on the PBS-TV series Antiques Roadshow, and Director of Skinner's American furniture and Decorative Arts department. "Furthermore, our enthusiasm over auctioning this chest is shared by the family who owns it. It seemed only fitting to them that after more than 200 years, it be auctioned in Boston -- the city in which it was likely made."
The Chippendale bombé chest-on-chest is the headline in Skinner's American Collections weekend of auctions, Friday, October 31st through Sunday, November 2, 2003. The weekend opens with a Friday evening auction of Shaker objects from three important collections, to be followed the next day with fine American furniture and decorative arts including the chest-on-chest and an extraordinary Wisconsin Civil War quilt. Sunday's auction will focus on rare books and manuscripts, and will feature a single owner collection of important American documents, including signed material from all of the country's presidents, and many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Previews and Special Event
Previews for the auction will be Tuesday, October 28th, Wednesday, October 29th, Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31st. On Monday, October 27th, there will be a gallery walk featuring Stephen Fletcher, director, and Martha Hamilton, specialist, of Skinner's department of American Furniture and Decorative Arts, as well as Stuart Whitehurst, director of Books & Manuscripts, who will discuss Shaker objects of particular note, the bombé chest-on-chest, the presidential collection, and other highlights of the upcoming auctions. The private preview begins at 5:00 p.m., with the gallery walk immediately following at 6:00 p.m. Reservations are required. All those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. to 617-350-5400.
Catalogue Information
Illustrated catalogs #2240 (Shaker Material), #2241 (American Furniture & Decorative
Arts), and #2218 (Rare Books and Manuscripts) are available by mail from the
subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. They are also available at the
gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and
after the sales. For more information on the auctions, auction preview times,
and the gallery walk, visit Skinner's website at www.skinnerinc.com.
Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids,
and order catalogues online.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.