Neal Auction’s upcoming sale will feature several pieces of George Hunzinger furniture, including the above sofa and a chair that would match it, were they to be upholstered in the same manner.  I expect there to be a wide range of prices on these items with the one above probably leading the hammer prices (Neal estimates $4-6,000) down to the more diminutive side chairs that he produced which may fetch around $1,000.  The rocker may also end up in that price range as well.

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I spent the weekend in antique mode (what else is new?) with Saturday spent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Sunday spent perusing the antique stores of Adamstown, PA.  The difference is that I did it all with some very good friends and had a blast.  It’s always fun to share an interest with others who also can appreciate it (albeit not as rabidly as I - yet).

I will be posting some of the images I captured at the museum from a camera that I borrowed.  I never realized that they’d let you photograph their items, but now I know to bring my own camera along.  One of the photos is above and is a sofa that the museum attributes to Thomas Brooks.

I question the attribution and how it was made.  The sign does not go as far as to detail attribution sources (nor do I necessarily expect it to), so it is hard to guess their thinking.  It resembles sofas by John Jelliff more so than Brooks items and you can see a confirmed Brooks chair here.  Note the break in the skirt and the two rosettes as well as the lack of figural arms.  Granted, he could have had multiple styles that he produced, but I think there is more in common with documented Jelliff pieces, such as those at the Newark Museum than this Brooks chair.  My guess is that the profile of the crest could be a hint as to why the Brooks attribution is there.

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My Eastlake Search turned up the usual flood of newly listed furniture with Charles Locke Eastlake influences, but this one was interesting due to the Gothic elements that were pierce-carved into the seatback design. The carvings include a quatrefoil rosette, lancet arches, and finials that were popular in Gothic Revival designs.

Bidding ends February 13th and starts at $900, a price that should probably be a bit lower, so I’m not too confident that this one will sell through.

There’s also a lesson in Ebay 101 photography techniques on this listing - never include an image where the buyers have to turn their head to view the item you’re selling.

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