Rare rosewood secretary desk climbs to $21,280 at Stevens at Flomaton A rare, museum-quality mechanical rosewood drop-front secretary desk made around 1860 sold for $21,280 at only the second auction held by Stevens at Flomaton in Flomaton, Ala., on New Year's Eve.
with shelves and fitted drawers inside, all on a Bombay-style base, with claw feet, 93 inches tall by 72 inches wide by 24 inches deep (circa 1800), breezed to $5,600; and a period mahogany Empire secretary, still in the good original finish, with scroll front and individual glass panes, 90 inches tall (circa 1840), went for $2,464.
A rosewood rococo two-door wardrobe with fruit carvings on the doors and a bird’s-eye maple interior, attributed to J. & J.W. Meeks (circa 1850) sold for $5,600; and an American bachelor’s chest Empire wardrobe made form crotch mahogany, probably crafted in New York around 1840, 80 inches tall by 66 inches wide by 24 inches deep, knocked down for $2,688.
In decorative accessories, a large 39-inch-tall scenic Sevres urn, artist signed, hammered for $3,920; a pair of museum-quality Old Paris vases, magnificent both in detail and condition, probably made in the late 19th century, 19 inches tall, realized $1,904 each; and a pair of Old Paris vases with a courting scene painted on each side and trimmed in gold went for $1,440 each.
A rosewood server with marble top, made circa 1850 and attributed to P. Mallard, found a new owner for $2,352; a period mahogany Empire combination pier table (or game table), with large gold claw feet (circa 1830), commanded $2,016; and an oak Wooten double rotary roll-top desk with swing end, still bearing the Wooten Mfg. label and made circa 1880, brought $2,352.
A rosewood pierce carved parlor arm chair by George J. Henkel with blue upholstery, 39 inches tall and made circa 1850, coasted to $2,128; a circa 1840 primitive walnut American flat wall cupboard with pegged mortise and tenon construction achieved $2,016; and an American one-piece cherry corner cupboard with 16 individual pane glass door (circa 1830) rose to $1,904.
An old sterling silver flatware service for 12 in the Frances First pattern by Reed & Barton, with no monogram, climbed to $3,360; a bronze and marble Sonumbra lamp with 14-inch cut shade and 8-inch prisms (circa 1870), topped out at $1,568; and a Victorian looking back gentleman’s chair with swag tassel carving and black upholstery (circa 1860) fetched $672.
Rounding out the day’s top lots was a pair of fine art offerings. An original oil on canvas painting of a ship sailing at night with a lighthouse, signed Van Schloes and measuring 31 inches by 20 inches, gaveled for $1,080; while a Victorian framed grouping of four paintings of artists Rubens, Rembrandt and others, with each canvas just six inches tall, changed hands for $2,040.
Stevens at Flomaton’s next big auction is tentatively set for sometime around Memorial Day (time and date to be determined; watch the Stevens Auction Company website for details, at www.stevensauction.com). Stevens Auction Company’s next sale in Aberdeen will be conducted sometime in March. A prominent estate out of Memphis plus other consignments will be offered.
Stevens Auction Company is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate
