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DECORATED CHEST OF DRAWERS

Marked for Jeremiah Stahl, Soap Hollow, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, dated 1864, poplar. Of typical form with three bowed drawers over four graduated drawers, scrolled backsplash, and resting on turned feet. Retains its original painted decoration including stenciled birds and flowers on a red ground, the side panels initialed "SL" and dated "1864". Imperfections. 53 1/2"h. 40 1/2"w. 20 1/4"d.

For a similarly decorated example, see Muller, Soap Hollow: The Furniture and Its Makers, p. 40. The present example appears to be the earliest dated piece of furniture signed by Stahl and may have, according to Muller, been made by Stahl while in partnership with Peter K. Thomas. The two men served together in the Civil War and this chest was made between their tours of duty, during which time, according to an affidavit by Stahl, they worked together (see Muller, p. 41). Wear and some losses to paint, backsplash attached with later screws, cat scratches to right stile, replaced pulls, 3.25 of the escutcheon inlays are missing. The varnish has darkened and has crazed in some places, but the paint appears largely intact under the varnish.

Estimate $4000-$6000

Sold at Garth's Auctions $14,100 5/29/10


RARE DOUBLE PORTRAIT OF ALFRED AND JAMES J. COLLINS BY MILTON W. HOPKINS (CONNECTICUT/NEW YORK/OHIO, 1789-1844)

Oil on canvas, signed on the back. The two sons of the Collins family, identified on the back with their ages of six and four in 1842. The boys hold a small whip and the pet dog. Conservation report available. 25 1/4"h. 30"w., in its original gilt frame, 29 1/2"h. 35 1/2"w. Ex Sumpter Priddy III (Virginia).Milton W. Hopkins and the Collins Family

The Connecticut-born artist Milton W. Hopkins (1789-1844) spent most of his life in Connecticut and New York. He began his career as a portraitist in earnest when he advertised himself as a portrait painter and instructor in Albion, New York in 1833. In 1836, Hopkins packed up his wife and ten children and headed west to Ohio, settling in Clermont County. Though he never sold the Clermont County farm (he would die there in 1844), he would later set up a studio in Columbus (1840-1843) and then in Cincinnati (1843-1844). Based on identified portraits, Hopkins clearly traveled throughout the region for commissions. Hopkins was a fervent anti-Mason and temperance advocate, and according to research by Jacquelyn Oak, it may have been his growing abolitionist sentiment that drove him to Ohio. She further postulates that it is through his anti-slavery efforts that Hopkins met fellow abolitionist and lawyer James Collins, Jr. while in Clermont County.

Collins (b. 1802 or 1803), a lawyer, married Angelina (apparently sometimes called Margaret) in 1830 and had four children. Documenting their location(s) is somewhat challenging, but Oak's research places them in Clermont County during Hopkins's residency, and later in Illinois (always as an active member of the abolition movement). As an attorney, Collins may well have spent time in Columbus (perhaps visiting Hopkins in his studio, which was very near the Ohio Statehouse). The 1850 Federal Census locates the Collins family in New Albany, Indiana, along the Ohio River (and in their household was an African-American girl named Anne Robertson).

Hopkins painted portraits Mr. and Mrs. Collins and of their sons Alfred and James in 1842. The portrait of the younger child was painted by another artist after Hopkins's death. All of the present portraits remained together and were "discovered" in a Missouri attic years ago. These portraits are among the few identified examples from Hopkins's Midwestern period, a fact made more important because of the shared abolitionist efforts of both artist and sitter. Additionally, the double portrait of James and Alfred is the only known double portrait by Hopkins. In short, this family group of portraits should be considered among the most significant Midwestern portraits of the 1840s period.

Estimate $15,000-$20,000

Sold at Garth's Auctions $17,625 5/29/10


FINE SHERATON SIDEBOARD

Possibly Cincinnati, Ohio, dated November 13, 1822, figured cherry, cherry and poplar. Peaked pediment flanked by cutlery drawers, over two long drawers flanked by bottle drawers, over four doors, and resting on reeded and tapered feet. The doors, drawers and backsplash are all veneered with highly figured cherry. Minor imperfections. 52 1/2"h. 55 1/2"w. 20 1/4"d.

This sideboard is an exceptional example of veneer work, the facade being completely covered in a combination of matching and contrasting veneer. Additionally, the reeded and tapered legs are unusual on a southern Ohio case piece. A possibly related bowfront chest with figured cherry veneer and reeded and tapered legs was part of the collection of John Auraden (Ohio) and sold at Cowan's, October 2004, lot 806.Each of the long drawers bears period chalk inscriptions, including the date November 13, 1822. The top drawer appears to also read "J. West" and "C_____ R. Cole Eqr."

Older refinish with good color, some veneer cracking, minor losses, some knobs replaced (the smaller ones are probably original), minor repairs to the interior of the drawers, one door lock lacking, bottle drawer dividers are lacking.

Estimate $8,000-$12,000

Sold at Garth's Auctions $9,400 5/29/10


SHAKER CUPBOARD

Attributed to Albert Battles, Tyringham, Massachusetts, ca.1830, pine. One-piece with two raised-panel doors and retaining an old red wash. Imperfections. 84 1/4"h. 40"w. 20"'d. Ex Rosemary Shea (Connecticut).This cupboard began life the North Family dwelling and was later used at the broom factory, which is currently called Nicholas Lodge. For a similar example, see Rieman and Burks, The Encyclopedia of Shaker Furniture, fig. 460.

Red wash has been refreshed, the doors appear to have been reduced in dimension as some of the pins are at the edge, and two have been cut.

Estimate $1,000-$2,000

Sold at Garth's Auctions $1,880 5/29/10


POWDER HORN

American, mid 18th century. Incised geometric designs with a rudimentary face and date "1763". Tip is carved with a heart in relief. Wooden plug has some loss near drilled holes for carrying cord. Lightly cleaned, 10 1/2"l. ?

Estimate $800-$1,000

Sold at Garth's Auctions $1,058 5/29/10


PAINTED HANGING WALL BOX

American, ca.1800, mixed soft woods. Open compartment over two lipped drawers, with a "lollipop" back and retaining old dark green-blue over red paint. Minor imperfections. 24"h. 12 1/2"w. 7"d. Ex Michael Whittemore, (Florida).

Estimate $1,500-$2,500

Sold at Garth's Auctions $1,998 5/29/10


PAIR OF FEDERAL MAHOGANY SHIELD BACK SIDE CHAIRS

Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1790-1800, each retains original surface,h. 39 in.

Estimate $3,000-$6,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $3,808 5/1-2, 2010


GEORGE II CARVED MAHOGANY TILT TOP TRIPOD PIE CRUST TEA TABLE,

third quarter 18th century, h. 29 1/8 in.; w. 37 3/4 in.; d. 37 1/8 in.

Estimate $3,000-$6,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $3,750 5/1-2, 2010


NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER

Wrought by Lydia Rabbitts, Massachusetts, dated 1808, silk on linen, 17 1/4 X 10 7/8 in.

Estimate $3,000-$20,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $5,355 5/1-2, 2010


IRON, BRASS, AND COPPER BETTY LAMP

Berks County, Pennsylvania, circa 1830, copper engraved illegibly Made by / C....on

Estimate $600-$1,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $2,975 5/1-2, 2010


LARGE IROQUOIS TWO-HANDLED BURLWOOD BOWL

18th century, of oblong form with pierced handholds, l. 21 in.; w. 16 in.; h. 7 1/2 in

Estimate $12,000-$30,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $23,800 5/1-2, 2010


PORTRAIT OF A GIRL HOLDING FLOWERS

Oil on panel, 14 X 10 in.

Attributed to William Matthew Prior (American, 1806- 1873)

Estimate $5,000-$8,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $19,040 5/1-2, 2010


FEDERAL INLAID AND VENEERED MAHOGANY SECRETARY BOOKCASE

Probably North Shore, Massachusetts, circa 1805, h. 82 1/2 in.; w. 36 in.; d. 21 7/8 in.

Estimate $5,000-$10,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $29,750 5/1-2, 2010


FRAKTUR ATTRIBUTED TO HENRY YOUNG

(American, 1792-1861), Centre County, Pennsylvania, dated 1858, watercolor and ink on wove paper, inscribed "Miss Sarah Gentzel in the year 1858", 9 1/4 by 7 3/4 in.

Provenance: Purchased in Centre County, Pennsylvania.

Other Notes: Sarah was the fifth and youngest Gentzel daughter. Mr. Young painted all the Gentzel girls.For similar examples, see Black, American Folk Painting, pg. 167; American Radiance, The Ralph Esmerian Collection, pg. 217; Weiser, Fraktur of The Free Library of Philadelphia, pl. 49.

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $2,856 5/1-2, 2010


FEDERAL PAINTED MAPLE AND PINE SCROLL TOP TWO PART HACKENSACK CUPBOARD

New Jersey, Early 19th century, bearing traces of a later green painted surface, removed to reveal the original brick red pigment., h. 8 ft. 4 in.; w. 4 ft. 2 in.; d. 21 1/2 in.

Estimate $5,000-$8,000

Sold at Keno Inaugural Auction $6,545 5/1-2, 2010


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