Mark Vail’s June 6 auction has a lot for sale that I will call “entry-level” Herter Brothers.  From what I see this is a 100% authentic Herter Brothers bookcase.  It’s not one of Herters’ high-style pieces as the design is more straightforward and utilitarian.  The three drawers are branded “Herter Bro’s” and I have compared the escutcheons with a favorable result to the reference images in the Herter book as you can see below.

There are condition issues and, again, were it not for the Herter branding you might never know it was by the famous brothers’ shop.  However, if you’re a Herter Brothers fan, here would be a chance to start off your collection at what I feel will be a relatively inexpensive price.  You may then choose to spruce it up with some restoration.

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In what one Hollywood blogger is referring to as a Warner Brothers garage sale, Bonham’s is offering one of the most important Herter Brothers collections seen at sale in over 60 years.  This sale represents over $1,000,000 in Herter Brothers furniture with solid provenance and a sure way to open up their new New York auction house location with a bang.  Expect to see some record prices during this sale.

From Bonham’s

Butterfields, in 1942, was selected as the auctioneer for disposition of the furnishings from Thurlow Lodge (in Menlo Park), a Herter Brothers project and the 1870s home of Milton Latham, a former California Governor and US Senator. That property had been acquired completely furnished by Mrs. Mark Hopkins in 1883, but Herter Brothers’ most notable and extensive commission on the West Coast was completed in 1878 for the Nob Hill residence of Mark Hopkins. On display at Bonhams in San Francisco October 24-27 will be 15 pieces valued at more than one million dollars, including a pair of Herter Brothers marquetry cabinets, one estimated at $100,000/150,000, the examples decorated with masks of goddesses and beasts. Continue Reading »

I don’t run across fine Neo-Grec, ebonized, Rosewood chairs like these too often.  Each chair has a bronze plaque in the back splat, one of a male figure and the other of a female.  There is ample ormolu throughout the chair and if I were the current owner, I would try to examine the back of the lion for a possible “P.S.” stamp (Pottier & Stymus) as is true of my Egyptian Revival set.

They are most likely of New York origin and the seller’s attribution to either Pottier & Stymus or Herter Brothers isn’t a stretch due to the fine quality.  The seller is asking $5,000 for the pair with free shipping provided.  I feel that they will go unsold due to the current state of the market – Victorian and Wall Street, both.  More photos at the listing.

Grand View has the Pottier & Stymus-attributed bedstead shown to the right in their upcoming September 13th sale.

You don’t get more straightforward Neo-Grec than this – a repeating Greek Key pattern surrounding the classical-themed bronze plaque.  Like a Greek wreath split in half, either laurel or olive leaves create tassels on either side of the headboard.

The bed is constructed of Rosewood and Curly Maple, the latter of which can be seen in the footboard corners.

Grand View is saying that the canopy is an unusual form due to the large drop finials.

Bidding starts at $9,000 and expected range is $18,000 to $25,000.  More at the listing.

Brunk Auctions will be putting up the above credenza on July 12th with an expected range $3,000-$6,000.  These cabinets are a staple in the Victorian furniture auctions, yet to me they do very little more than provide a showy piece of furniture in your house – they prop up a statue or vase in grand style.

It can’t be used to store books (properly) nor can it be used to display decorative items.  Well, I guess it could, but do you hide your decorative items in a closed cabinet?  I can tell you that mine is essentially empty save for the clean bag of rags I had put there as I was cleaning it.  Nonetheless, these cabinets are show-stoppers and if I could have 10 of them, I would.

Due to the questionable utility and space-gobbling presence in your home, I would consider these cabinets the canary in the coal mine for the higher-end Victorian antique furniture market.  Even though I wouldn’t use a single piece to provide a temperature for the market, it can provide a good datapoint to set aside.  If it sells for $5-$6,000, it would be in-line with recent trends.   if it sells between $3,000-$4,000, then there is a datapoint for an even stronger buyers market than we already have.

Lot details and more photos here.