If you’re a fan of everything R.J. Horner, be sure to check out my new R.J. Horner-only blog launched at rjhorner.com

Since there was so much interest in his items, I broke it out separately so that Horner fans who don’t follow furniture from Jelliff, Belter, Meeks, etc. can track high-quality Horner auctions exclusively. Be sure to subscribe at the link on the right side of the page at the new site.

So what does the consummate Belter collector acquire when they thought they had everything covered? Why, a child’s chair of course! This laminated rosewood chair has an amazing 28 1/2″ height and a diminutive 11″ seat height. It exhibits the 7 lamination layers common to Belter parlor furniture. Auction ends March 3rd with starting price at $900 and expected range of $1,800 to $3,200.

As usual, Bradford’s Antiques has yet another great piece of R. J. Horner furniture for sale. This time it’s a 12 foot dining table with four 20″ leaves which are skirted and carved to match the carvings on the table top for the fully extended 12 foot length. I think this one is so grand I probably wouldn’t eat on it! Here are more details from the listing:

Quartersawn Oak Winged Griffin Dining Table

Circa 1890’s

Attributed to RJ Horner

Fantastic Table!

Four Standing Winged Griffins with Breast Plates

Bearded Griffins with Elaborate Pierce Carved Tails

Unusual Carved and flared Center Pedestal

Four Winged Claw Feet

Center Pedestal Opens to Expand the Table to over 12 feet!

The Center Pedestal Hides the Original Floating Center Leg.

The Table Comes with Four 20″ Leaves

THE LEAVES ARE SKIRTED AND CARVED TO MATCH THE TABLE TOP!

Height: 31″ (loads of leg room)

Diameter: 60 inches

Lenght: 140 inches with 4 leaves

Maximum opening is 14 feet

This is the Very Best Griffin Table I have Seen to Date

The Table is in Mint Restored Condition

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My (Victorian Era) antique collection includes a mishmash of Rococo, Renaissance, Aesthetic, Elizabethan and Neo-Grec pieces, but I’m conspicuously missing Gothic. I’m a big fan of Gothic design, but I haven’t run across any pieces that were reasonably priced, locally accessible and don’t give my home that “am I at church?” feel. If I didn’t already have a Renny desk and no more room for others, I’d consider this one.

This desk is attributed to Kimbel & Cabus and knowing that the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an identical desk (save for oak vs. walnut), I feel the attribution on this piece to be fairly accurate. The listing ends March 5th and the buy-it-now price is $4,750.

More from the listing:

Our desk is Constructed of solid walnut with nice incised carving. This gothic aesthetic style desk was one of Kimbel & Cabus best sellers during the latter part of the 19th Century. The incised carving, gothic/aesthetic style, and fancy hardware are features that set them apart from the rest of the furniture makers. Just look at the fabulous incising on front and hinges! A really Cool piece of productive furniture. This piece of furniture is a fine example of a 19th Century Style that was so unique the Met has it on permanent display. See the last picture for the Met’s example of this fine piece. Additional pictures taken after we wiped the desk down with lemon oil thus the shine. Measurements: Approx 56 tall x 43 wide x 26 deep. Condition: Wear and imperfections are appropriate to the age of the piece. This desk has some wear from use but no damage that would take away from the value. It has all of the original hardware and finish. Finish is a bit worn but I would not do anything to it myself. I like my antiques to look like they were used. It has a great Antique look in its present condition. Shipping estimate: $475.

Here is a beautiful rosewood John Henry Belter “Fountain Elms” pattern side chair up for auction for the next few days. I would have blogged about this chair earlier but the pictures on the listing are very dark and don’t highlight the carvings and the fact that this is a pierced Belter design. So after waiting a few days, I lightened the photo myself. There are other Fountain Elms side chairs for sale on the web and one in particular is listed for $9,500. You’ll see from the photo below taken from “American Furniture of the 19th Century” by Eileen & Richard Dubrow that Fountain Elms arm chairs can be worth $15,000+. This particular side chair is starting at $4,500 and the listing can be seen here. Listing ends February 25th.