: -Christie's auction of American Furniture deaccessioned from
Stratford Hall Plantation generated quite a bit of interest from
dealers, collectors and institutions with hefty, and even
sometimes record, prices established.
The sale, which took place on December 4, was unusual in that it
offered just six lots, all of which sold, grossing $2,688,200.
"The success of this sale is a tribute to the discerning eye and
careful collecting of Caroline Ryan Foulke, and we are honored to
have represented Stratford Hall Plantation with this highly
important consignment," said Andrew Brunk, head of Christie's
American furniture and decorative arts department.
Stratford Hall Plantation was the home of General Robert E. Lee
and four subsequent generations of Lee's family. The six pieces
of furniture were deaccessioned as the plantation is embarking on
a new interpretation of the historic great house.
The objective, according to the catalog is, "To depict the
various periods of Lee Family occupation at Stratford Hall
Plantation as accurately as current scholarship, research,
technology and preservation standards will allow."
Tied as the top lot of the sale was the Waln-Ryerss family Queen
Anne carved mahogany side chair of Philadelphia origin that had
carving attributed to the Garvan Carver, circa 1760.
Philadelphia Chippendale pie crust tea table attributed to the
Garvan Carver, $679,500.
One of four known examples from what is believed to have been
a set of at least six, the chair carried a $300/500,000 presale
estimate. "Chairs from this set are often regarded as the greatest
achievements of the form in pre-Rococo Philadelphia," stated the
catalog, where it was also proclaimed "the best American Queen Anne
chair yet found."
Bidding on the lot was active with it selling well above
estimates at $679,500, establishing a world auction record for a
Queen Anne side chair. The chair was reportedly purchased by Alan
Miller on behalf of a client.
"The Garvan Carver" is a nickname for an unidentified master
craftsman who worked in Philadelphia in the 1750s and 1760s whose
work has been identified on some of the city's finest furniture,
including the high-chest of drawers at Yale in the Garvan
Collection. The carving style is described as "particularly
distinctive at the leaf tips which are twisted at their ends and
embellished with fine cross-hatching."
A Philadelphia Chippendale carved mahogany pie crust tea table
with carving also attributed to the Garvan Carver, circa
1755-1765, carried a $600/900,000 estimate. The table is regarded
as being among the finest examples of the form that survives the
Chippendale period. The table, illustrated in Albert Sack's
Fine Points of American Furniture, sold at $679,500 to a
private buyer.
Bishop Samuel Parker Queen Anne mahogany block front bureau,
$433,100.
Other lots included the Bishop Samuel Parker Queen Anne
carved mahogany block front bureau, Boston, circa 1730-1740, that
reached $433,100; a Chippendale carved mahogany easy chair,
Philadelphia, 1765-1780, to Millie McGehee on behalf of a client
for $410,700; the General John Cadwalader Chippendale carved
mahogany hairy paw foot side chair attributed to Benjamin Randolph,
Philadelphia, circa 1770, to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at
$365,900; and a Chippendale carved mahogany marble-top sideboard
table attributed to John Goddard, Newport, R.I., circa 1755-1770,
at $119,500.
"We are also thrilled that the General John Cadwalader
Chippendale carved mahogany hairy paw foot side chair is
returning to Philadelphia, where it was originally made in 1770,"
stated Brunk. "It will be reunited with many other Cadwalader
furnishings in the Philadelphia Museum of Art."
