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Fontaine
Exceptional Antique Auction
Pittsfield, MA

September 27, 2008

Lot 2: J &JW; MEEKS PIERCE CARVED ROSEWOOD MARBLE TOP

J & JW Meeks of New York City was a competitor of John Henry Belter before the Civil War. This is an outstanding example of a rosewood sideboard with marble top -- indeed a showpiece that would look wonderful in a Victorian period dining room -- or any room, for that matter that has room enough. It looks to me like it is museum quality.

Lot 3: GILT CARVED CONVEX FEDERAL BULLS-EYE MIRROR

What an astonishing carved and gilt convex bulls-eye mirror this is from the early nineteenth century. I presume that it was made in the U.S. even though looking glasses of this sort were imported from abroad. I own one like it and have it hanging over my parlor mantel. But mine does not have that wonderful dragon carving on its top.

Lot 4: KIMBEL & CABUS HALL CABINET W/ SIMPSON TILE

Works by the American firm Kimbel and Cabus are distinctive. I once acquired an example of their furniture for the collections of the MFA, Boston. They often include tiles in their ebonized furniture made in the 1880s and 90s in the aesthetic taste.

Lot 23: HERTER BROS. ATTR. RENAISSANCE REVIVAL

Pedestals of this quality and distinction are hard to find. If you own sculpture or vases that deserve display on a pedestal, do not pass up this opportunity to acquire one which the catalogue entry attributes to Herter Brothers. It was probably made not much before 1865 and not later than 1880. Gilt fluting and incising of the sort displayed here was most popular c. 1875.

Lot 49: J.H BELTER MILWAUKEE LAMINATED ROSEWOOD 3 PC

Do not miss the opportunity to study all the Belter and Meeks furniture offered in this auction. Here is a wonderful Belter Parlor set of three pieces made of carved and laminated rosewood. In the mid nineteenth century John Henry Belter took out patents for his unique methods of laminating and bending wood under steam and pressure -- holding the wood in iron forms named cauls. Look at Lots 26, 31, 118, 153, 179, 232 and 304 for other Belter furniture in this auction. What a splendid opportunity this provides for learning by comparison!

Lot 72: PAIR OF ROSEWOOD AMERICAN GOTHIC CARVED

Gothic Revival furniture from mid nineteenth century America is hard to find. This pair of rosewood Gothic American carved benches is exceptional! If the Gothic Revival appeals to you, do not miss the opportunity to acquire this set. It is unlikely that another pair will turn up at auction anytime soon.

Lot 75: SIGNED ALEXANDER ROUX QUEEN SIZE ROSEWOOD BED

Alexander Roux was a New York furniture maker in the Belter era who had a splendid design sense. This queen size rosewood bed bears a stencil on the headboard "A. Roux - New York." For the Victorian era, this bed displays unusual grace and refined restraint of ornament.