Important Federal Carved and Inlaid Mahogany Firescreen, attributed to Nathan Lombard (1777-1847), Sutton, Massachusetts, Circa 1798-1805

Base appears to retain its original surface. Lacking finial.

Lacking finial; base appears to retain original surface as does back of fire screen; there is a one inch passage of carving of the upper portion of firescreen that has been replaced; there are two small portions of carving lost on bottom of firescreen panel; minor wear to leg carving commensurate with age; the pole has cracked and has been reglued but appears to original.
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.

This remarkable fire screen, with its exquisite proportions and ornately carved screen and legs, can be attributed to the hand of one of America’s most creative and pioneering early nineteenth century cabinetmakers, Nathan Lombard (1777-1847), who worked in and around Brimfield and Sutton, Massachusetts.  The screen relates directly to another firescreen attributed to Lombard, as both have shields bordered with carved leafage, carved urns on their shafts and are supported on cabriole legs that terminate with scrolls. Both shields also are crafted from mahogany rather than cherrywood—Lombard’s apparent preferred choice of wood. 

The oval fan patera and ‘icicle’ inlays on the shield are motifs that are found on many of Lombard’s works. It is however the richly textured three dimensional carving on the top and bottom of the shield, urn and the top of the legs that is without precedent.  Further, of the two other surviving pieces with cabriole legs and scroll feet—the aforementioned firescreen and a candlestand at Yale University—neither have volutes carved into their feet.  Notably, the carving on Lombard’s other work is more stylized and flatter.

The present lot’s carving is executed asymmetrically at the base of its screen. This vestigial trace of the rococo style and overall richer carving likely indicates that the fire screen was one of the first pieces he crafted. Lombard’s cabinetmaking business was probably established as early as 1798 when he turned 21. At this time the Neoclassical style was emerging in rural Massachusetts, and Lombard’s incorporation of carved and inlaid patera on the shield demonstrates his knowledge of this new esthetic movement.

For a thorough analysis of Lombard see Brock Jobe’s and Clark Pearce’s groundbreaking article, "Sophistication in Rural Massachusetts: The Inlaid Cherry Furniture of Nathan Lombard," ed. Luke Beckerdite, American Furniture 1998, (Milwaukee, WI: Chipstone Foundation; Hanover, NH: Distributed by University Press of New England, 1998), pp. 164-96.