Up for sale is a R.J. Horner Carved Griffin Sofa with griffins that are an impressive 21″ tall. The griffins also have the tell-tale rat tail (say that 3 times fast!) that was common on R.J. Horner pieces.

The dimensions of the sofa are 82 1/2 inches long, 38 1/2 inches to the top, 31 inches to the top of the arm rests, and 36 1/2 inches front to back. Local pick up in Johnston, IA or they could arrange delivery for a fee.

The listing shows a $4,000 starting price though reserve is not met at that level.

Up for auction from St. Charles Galleries, Inc. are 7 pieces of John Henry Belter’s “Henry Clay” pattern parlor furniture. The exciting part of this sale is that these pieces are being deaccessioned from “Ashland,” The Estate of Henry Clay, Lexington, Kentucky. These are the reference pieces for the “Henry Clay” pattern. Sold in 5 separate lots. The sofa sale starts at $4,000 and the range is $5,000 to $8,000.

More from the listing:

This group of Belter parlor furniture was owned by Colonel William Cassius Goodloe. Colonel Goodloe served as chairman of the national committee of the Republican Party and was later appointed Minister to Belgium by President Hayes. Goodloe lived at the now Historic “Loudoun House,” one of the largest and finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Kentucky. Goodloe’s daughter married into the Henry Clay family and her grandchildren donated this set to Ashland in the 1950’s.

Can provenance get any better?

Belter American Rococo Revival Rosewood Méridienne - starts at $4,000. Range $5,000 - $8000

Belter American Rococo Revival Rosewood Armchair - starts at $2,000. Range $2,500 - $4,000

Belter American Rococo Revival Rosewood Sidechairs - starts at $2000. Range $2,500 - $4,000

Belter American Rococo Revival Rosewood Sidechairs - starts at $2000. Range $2,500 - $4,000

As someone that collects Victorian Furniture for a Victorian home, modern or even “restoration” reproduction lighting ends up looking out of place so I have installed and display many pieces of period lighting.

Here is one fixture that I wish I had hanging over my pool table in the parlor. I believe the seller of this antique billiard light may be correct when they claim that this may be the finest that you may ever see. This 1880’s electrified gas fixture will hang 60″ from your ceiling. Shades are new.

Bidding on February 4th starts at $3,650 and the expected range is $37,000 to $39,500. You can view the listing here.

Up for auction on February 3rd from the New Orlean’s-based Neal Auction Company is an impressive Renaissance Bedstead attributed to Pottier and Stymus. I have blogged about several of the other items in this particular auction and it is shaping up to be a Rare Victorian extravaganza (13 Belters alone). Bids on the bed start at $8,000 and range is expected between $12,000 and $18,000. Condition report appears to very complimentary except for one old crack repair.

Excerpt from the listing:

An Important American Renaissance Walnut and Burl Walnut Bedstead , late 19th c., labeled Pottier and Stymus, 375 Lexington Avenue, New York, the architectonic headboard centered by a large porcelain roundel painted wiht a female personification of Sleep with attendant sprite,flanked by gilt bronze terms, wiht bracketed rails; incurvate footboard with porcelain plaque painted with the figures of Hypnos (Sleep) and a fellow slumberer, both drowsy with the pooies they bear; rosewood banding, incised gilt decoration overall

Up for auction are two Belter Rosewood Slipper Chairs similar to the one found on p. 56 of “The Furniture of John Henry Belter and the Rococo Revival” by Schwartz, Stanek, and True. Bidding starts at $3,000 and expected range is $5,000 - $7,000. I suspect they will go at the lower end of the range with a chance at closing below $5,000, but you never know how the bidding will go. Listing can be seen here.

A pair of “Hartford” J & JW Meeks side chairs is also up for sale in the same Neal Auction Company Live Auction for February 3rd. Starting bid is $3,000 and expected range is $5,000 - $7,000. A single “Hawkins” armchair just went for $12,500 on January 20th. This listing can be seen here.