19th Century Furniture, Sculpture, Ceramics, Silver and Works of Art

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Lot 33
  • 33

A silver-gilt three-piece figural garniture, retailed by Howard & Co., New York, circa 1900

Estimate
35,000 - 45,000 USD
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Description

  • heights 17, 9 in. (43, 23 cm) cm
each a shell-form bowl on rococo foot, supporting a partly-draped Venus and Cupid, engraved under the lip with a 1910 presentation inscription, the largest German, probably Hanau, with import marks for Chester, 1901, the smaller two made to match by Howard & Co.

Catalogue Note

The inscription reads, "To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, this token is presented with loving affection TO SAMUEL AND PHEBE VAN SCHOONHOVEN THORNE by their children, October second 1910."

Samuel Thorne (1835-1915) was born in Millbrook, Dutchess County, New York, and attended Yale University.  He inherited a cattle business in Dutchess County from his father, then went into leather before becoming president of the Pennsylvaia Coal Company, director of the Bank of America, and other banks and railroads as well as many cultural and charitable institutions.  On Oct. 2nd, 1860, he married Phebe Van Schoonhoven (1838-1923); they had six children.  In 1881 he built The Crest, in Millbrook, which was demolished in 1950.