Lot 164
  • 164

Very Fine and Rare Federal Carved and Figured Mahogany Candlestand, Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1795

Estimate
8,000 - 16,000 USD
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Description

  • mahogany
  • Height 27 1/2 in. by Width 16 1/4 in. by Depth 16 in.
Retains a dark, rich old surface.

Provenance

Israel Sack, Inc., New York;
Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henry Meyer, Birmingham, Michigan
Sotheby's, New York, Important Americana: The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henry Meyer, January 20, 1996, sale 6801, lot 216, purchased at the sale by a relative of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Meyer.

Exhibited

The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Literature

Freund, Joan Barzilay. Masterpieces of Americana: The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henry Meyer, (New York: Sotheby's Books), 1995, ill. p. 32.

Condition

Top is loosely attached to cleat; top has been remounted on cleat several times; circular mark on top, likely left from a vessel; secondary wood is white pine; one leg may be an early replacement.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

A candlestand, probably from the same shop, with a nearly identical base, but with an oblong octagonal top fitted with a candle slide is illustrated in Ralph E. Carpenter, Jr., The Arts and Crafts of Newport Rhode Island 1640-1820, (Newport, RI: The Preservation Society of Newport County, 1954), p. 81, no. 53 and American Antiques from Islael Sack Collection, Vol. IV, (Washington, DC: Highland House Publishers, Inc., 1975),  p. 1084, fig. 3969. This candlestand originally belonged to Dr. David Townsend, a surgeon who was with, General Warren in the Battle of Bunker Hill, and was later owned by Mitchell Taradash. The stand was included in Part I of the sale of the Americana Collection of the Late Mrs. J. Amory Haskell at Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., on April 29, 1944, lot 706. The above-mentioned candlestand and the presently owned example are apparently the only ones of this type known to exist.