From the monthly archives:

October 2009

Creepy Zoomorphic Furniture Carvings

October 31, 2009

I’m a big fan of the incorporation of animal imagery into furniture made in the 19th century. When done well, it can elevate the level of style for a piece above those without these elements.  It also requires a good bit of carving skills and finesse to pull it off.  I have an ebonized [...]

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Wareroom Pieces of Prudent Mallard Sell at New Orleans Auction Galleries

October 27, 2009

NEW ORLEANS – October 10 and 11 found New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc. in full fall swing offering more than 1,200 important lots including some fabulous Victorian items. Of most interest was an elegant mid-19th century American Rococo Revival rosewood half-tester bed attributed to the New Orleans warerooms of Prudent Mallard.

What grabbed many a collector’s [...]

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Jordan & Moriarty 1883 Parlor Suit

October 26, 2009

I was digging through the original furniture manufacturer catalogs that I have and ran across this Jordan & Moriarty parlor set that has a caption of “Library Medallion, Marie Antoinette, Grand Duchess, &c.”  Notice the earlier representation of “etc.” where the “e” & “t” became merged into “&”.
I mentioned this manufacturer in the context of [...]

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9′ 9″ Mitchell Rammelsberg Bedstead Highlights Stevens Auction Sale

October 16, 2009

Several months ago I had the opportunity of weighing in on this bed having been made by Mitchell & Rammelsberg and here it is coming available during tomorrow’s Steven’s Auction sale.  Be sure to peruse all the lots on the Stevens site, but for me, the bedstead steals the show.
What’s not apparent from the [...]

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Rococo Revival Duchesse Top Victorian Lot

October 14, 2009

NEW ORLEANS – Quite a nice selection of elegant Victorian items were offered at the September 26 and 27 event held by New Orleans Auction, St. Charles Gallery, Inc.. Unfortunately, many of these special pieces did not sell. However, those that did find new owners saw strong interest.
The piece of Victorian furniture that caused the [...]

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John Henry Belter Cornucopia Sidechair

October 13, 2009

This Belter Cornucopia chair is seeing action from 8 bidders on Ebay at the moment with 2 days left to go. Currently bid to less than $1,000, these chairs can command $4,000-$6,000 at auction.
This variation appears to be ca. 1855 and does not have the rounded seat that other variations have.  I have also [...]

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Victor Quetin Pedestal, Paris, 1860

October 9, 2009

A recent antique appraisal customer supplied the above images of a 19th century pedestal that they had in their possession and were wondering if it were worth restoration of the piece considering the shape it was currently in (click the image for large view).
The coloration seen on the metalwork gave rise to a discussion on [...]

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