Cordier Fine & Decorative Arts Online Only Auction
Saturday, November 21 at 10am
Visit www.CordierAuction.com for full details.
Online Catalog Available Friday November 13!
Previews by Appointment Only
1500 Paxton Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104

Cordier Auctions to Feature Historical Harrisburg Architectural Artifacts and Severin Roesen Painting on November 21st

The Cordier Fine and Decorative Arts Auction on November 21^st will include several important lots with Harrisburg ties. The items include monumental twin fireplace surrounds from the Senate Hotel built in 1906, and a massive mural from the interior of the State Theater which opened in 1926. Both properties were demolished decades ago. Also included in the auction will be a large still life oil painting by influential artist, Severin Roesen, who spent time in Harrisburg around 1860.

The city of Harrisburg played a critical role in the development of America’s industrial history. By the mid-nineteenth century, Harrisburg became part of the Pennsylvania Canal System and an important center for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Although steel and iron were dominant industries at the time, Harrisburg began to attract influential artists like German painter, Severin Roesen, who spent time here between 1858 and 1862. Harrisburg’s City Beautiful movement beginning in 1900 was one of the earliest movements of urban improvement in the country. During the thirty-year movement, architectural landmarks like the Senate Hotel and State Theater were built.

Severin Roesen is recognized as one of the great American still-life painters of the mid-nineteenth century. Born in Germany in 1816, Roesen immigrated to New York in 1848 and exhibited numerous paintings at the American Art-Union. Roesen moved to Pennsylvania in 1858, spending time in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Huntingdon before settling in Williamsport around 1862. During this period, he exhibited works at the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Brooklyn Art Association. Cordier Auctions will offer an exceptionally large example from the artist.

The Senate Hotel was designed in the elegant French Beaux-Arts style by the great Miller Isaac Kast, and opened by hotelier James Russ in 1906. As its name suggests, the Senate Hotel was known for housing politicians, including Senator Boies Penrose who occupied a suite on the top floor of the hotel. Although the Senate Hotel was demolished in February of 1995, pieces of the hotel live on throughout the city. A pair of fireplace surrounds from the second-floor private dining room of the Senate Hotel were donated to the Historic Harrisburg Association.

The State Theater opened April 12, 1926. The ornate interior designed by E.C. Horn & Sons, was the height of luxury. With one of the largest auditoriums and screens in the city, the theater brought vaudeville, live shows, movies, and big band performances to Harrisburg. When the State Theater closed in 1974, a beautiful oil on canvas mural that decorated the foyer was removed and stored. Measuring 130 feet long by 5 feet high, the mural depicts Spanish themes that kept with the décor of the State Theater.

Proceeds from the twin fireplace surrounds will benefit the Historic Harrisburg Association. Founded in 1973, the HHA is a nonprofit charitable and educational organization that advocates for the restoration, preservation, and proper stewardship of historic neighborhoods and landmarks throughout the Capital Region to enable current and future generations to retain and celebrate Harrisburg’s rich history. To learn more about the HHA, visit https://historicharrisburg.org.

The November 21^st auction will also feature a Walter Emerson Baum painting titled “Brook and Hills,” fine Asian arts including a cloisonne cabinet vase signed by Hayashi Kodenji, a Peter Lunn Mid Century modern sterling silver tea set, and a collection of Native American silver and turquoise jewelry including an elaborate Carlos White eagle bolo. The auction will be online only. Online viewing and pre-bidding will be available November 16. Live bidding starts at 10:00 AM on November 21. Visit www.cordierauction.com for more information.

Silver, Jewelry, Collectibles, Fine, Decorative,
Ethnic & Asian Arts, Furniture, Lighting, Clocks & Rugs
1. Anthony Hawksley Sterling Candelabra
2. Peter Lunn Modernist Sterling Tea Set
3. Carlos White Eagle Bolo
4. 1935 Columbia Anniversary Mini Oscar
5. Wurlitzer Butterfly Piano
6. Severin Roesen (Pennsylvania / Germany
1815-1872) 28” x 39”
7. 40” Mollica Ewer on Pedestal
8. Attributed to Ruth or Samuel Shute (New Hamp
shire, 1803-1836)
9. Prior-Hamblin School (Mid 19th Century)
10. Hayashi Kodenji Cloisonne Cabinet Vase
11. Walter Emerson Baum (Pennsylvania, 1884-1956)
12. Twin Charles Howard Lloyd Fireplace Surrounds
from Senate Hotel, Harrisburg
13. French Style Floor Candelabra
14. Martin D-35 Guitar