Important Americana
Important Americana
Property from the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Trust
Auction Closed
January 23, 04:26 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Fine and Rare Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Dressing Table
Carving attributed to Samuel Harding (d. 1758)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Circa 1750
Appears to retain its original cast brass and pierced hardware. Three knee returns are replaced.
Height 28 1/2 in. by Width 35 in. by Depth 20 1/2 in.
David Stockwell, Wilmington, Delaware.
Retaining its original pierced brass hardware, this dressing table is a mid 18th century example of a popular Philadelphia case form. It is made of a highly figured choice mahogany and displays exceptional carving, particularly in the treatment of the layered ruffled pendant shell on the skirt, a signature element of the work of Samuel Harding (working by 1751-died 1758), one of Philadelphia’s most influential carvers. A virtually identical shell is carved on the tympanum of a high chest of drawers formerly in the collection of Elroy and Helene Master that sold at Pook & Pook, Inc. on June 19, 2009, lot 417. That chest displays carving on the upper case by Samuel Harding and carving on the lower case by “The Garvan Carver.”