Meeks parlor suite in the Hawkins pattern fetches $24,150 at Stevens Auction A four-piece laminated rosewood rococo parlor suite by renowned 19th century American furniture maker J. & J.W. Meeks, in the desirable Hawkins pattern, sold for $24,150 at Stevens Auction Company.
News-Antique.com - Feb 25,2013 - (ABERDEEN, Miss.) – A gorgeous four-piece laminated rosewood rococo parlor suite by renowned 19th century American furniture maker J. & J.W. Meeks, in the desirable Hawkins pattern, sold for $24,150 at a massive two-day estate sale held Feb. 15-16 by Stevens Auction Company. The auction was held in the firm’s gallery, at 609 North Meridian Street in Aberdeen.
The parlor suite, beautifully crafted around 1855, consisted of a sofa (66 inches long by 45 inches high), an arm chair and two side chairs. It was the top achiever of the more than 600 lots sold. Headlining the event was the lifetime clock collection of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Johnson, merchandise pulled from a New Jersey mansion, and items from three other prominent estates.
“If it’s true that quality merchandise brings top dollar at auction, then this sale was a success because the better items saw high prices realized,” remarked Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company, adding, “The economy is definitely improving. People see that the clock is ticking on their lives and, especially now that the election’s over, they’ve gone back to buying.”
Around 200 people attended the auction in person, while another 450 approved registered bidders participated online, via LiveAuctioneers.com. About 400 combined phone and absentee bids were also recorded. “This was the highest concentration of quality lots we’ve sold in years,” Mr. Stevens said. “It was a great start for the New Year and we have more big auctions in store.”
Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
A stunning pair of recamiers got paddles wagging in a big way. A laminated rosewood recamier by John H. Belter in the Fountain Elms pattern and in mint condition (circa 1850), 6 feet long by 4 feet tall and quite rare, soared to $18,400; and a nice laminated rosewood rococo recamier by J. & J.W. Meeks in the Stanton Hall pattern went to a determined bidder for $9,775.
Two antique desks, both circa 1855 and both attributed to Meeks, also got the crowd excited. One was a fine rosewood rococo secretary desk with a pierce carved crown and carving on the doors, 9 feet 2 inches tall by 42 inches wide ($17,250). The other was a rosewood rococo roll-top desk with round front drawers and gallery top, 53 inches tall by 48 inches wide ($9,775).
A pair of tables, each one executed around 1855 by Alexander Roux, found new owners. The first was a rococo banquet dining table, heavily carved, with claw feet and capable of stretching to 14 feet 6 inches ($17,250). The second was a monumental rosewood rococo marble center table with detail carved fruit basket and carving all over, 62 inches in length ($10,350).
Chairs were offered in abundance and bidders responded with enthusiasm. A set of eight walnut Victorian dining room chairs made circa 1855 by Alexander Roux, in mint condition with heavily carved backs and boasting red silk upholstery, hammered for $16,100; and a rosewood laminated
