FURNITURE
Catalog Page 14
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PERSPECTIVE
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SIDE
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DETAIL
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BACK
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FRONT
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OPEN
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SIDE
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TOP DETAIL
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DOVETAIL
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HIDDEN DOVETAIL
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BACK
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DATE
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MARKINGS
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SHIP
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14.32 WALL MIRROR. Splendid, second
half of the 19th century American wall mirror containing a broadside
portrait of the USS VANDALIA as painted by listed artist James
Scott Maxwell. This very handsome presentation consists of a carved
walnut frame with columns carved in the form of rope twists. The top
of each column is finished with decorative beading. They support the
overhanging cover which is inset with 11 "tear drop" finials and a
scalloped border. The remainder of the frame has repetitively beaded
panels matching the columns. The large mirror in the bottom reflects
its age with its old wavy glass construction.The crowning touch of
this presentation is the fine watercolor entitled "United States
Corvette "Vandalia". 8 Guns. 2000 Tons 1874." At the bottom and is
signed lower left "JSM 1878". This port broadside view shows the
staunch vessel at anchor with commissioning pennant streaming from
the main mast and the American ensign flying aft. Several crewmen are
depicted on deck along with rigging details and deck fittings. The
painting measures 9 1/4 inches by 6 inches sight. The mirror itself
measures just short of 32 inches high by 16 1/2 inches wide at the
top. Condition is "excellent" in every respect. The painting, under
old wavy glass, is perfectly preserved. The wooden frame is in its
original old finish with a nice dry surface, just the way furniture
collectors like them! The back of the mirror still retains its
original brass hanging bracket at the top and is covered with old
protective wooden panels with exhibit good oxidation.
The 8 gun screw sloop of war VANDALIA was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard in 1872 and commissioned on January 10, 1876. Soon after commissioning VANDALIA deployed to the Mediterranean where she spent the next 3 years with the European Squadron. It was during her European deployment that this painting by British artist Maxwell was rendered. In April 1879 she transferred back to the U.S. and the North Atlantic Squadron. She was home ported in Norfolk, Virginia for the next 5 years. It is likely that this mirror was manufactured during that time frame.
In October 1884 VANDALIA underwent extensive repairs at the Portsmouth Naval Yard, New Hampshire. Recommissioned on February 15, 1886 she deployed for the West Coast as the flagship of the Pacific Squadron. The next two years saw her operating in Hawaiian and Samoan waters as well as along the coasts of North and South America.
In October 1888, while undergoing repairs at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, VANDALIA was again called to duty in Samoa due to increasing tensions between American and German interests there. While anchored in the harbor of Apia, Samoa on March 16, 1889 the American fleet was beset by typhoon force winds and mountainous seas. VANDALIA and her sister ship TRENTON sank despite heroic efforts of their crews. American casualties totaled 49 killed, 43 from VANDALIA alone. After the disaster the ships were declared a total loss and their scrap was donated to the Samoans.
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14.28 SHIP'S DESK. Authentic early
1900's American Merchant Marine ship's officer's stateroom desk. This
solid oak drop front desk was made to the highest standards with
pinned and dowelled construction using heavy solid oak
(not plywood) construction! The slopped front has a large wooden
handle and is inset with a rectangular panel, edged with beading. The
writing surface measures 15 by 33 1/2 inches when extended. It is
attached to the desk with heavy pivoting brass hinges and a massive
solid brass "stop" running the entire width of the desk. Within are 6
cubby holes with oak shelves individually faced with sold oak trim.
The back of this desk does not lie flush to the bulkhead, but rather
has scalloped edges on both rear corners. It measures 39 inches wide,
17 inches high and 22 1/2 inches deep and is in excellent, sound
condition - very sturdy. The drop front was originally fitted
with a lock which has now been plugged with oak. Without a doubt,
this desk represents a fantastic bargain for a genuine piece of very
usable authentic old ship's furniture. This is a deal!!
995
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14.29 PORTABLE WRITING DESK.
Exquisite early 19th century English traveler's writing desk This
exceptionally lovely and complex example is the best we
have offered in our 31 years! It consists of a fully brass-bound box
made of rare solid African crotch grain mahogany with banding,
corners, blank presentation plaque in the top, key escutcheon and 2
recessed folding drop handles. The lid opens and remains in place
supported by three sturdy brass stop hinges. There is a leather
covered expandable letter pouch in the lid. The first writing surface
is covered in green felt. Opening it reveals a lovely silk
embroidered writing slope with two panels. The upper panel retains
its original lock and key. The lower panel opens with a sliding latch
to a large storage compartment. At the top of the slope are 3 cubby
holes, a compartment with a false bottom and a removable pen/pencil
tray with ivory knob. What is so remarkable about this box is that it
contains 4 secret features each of which must be
accessed sequentially before the next is revealed! Removing the false
bottomed tray allows access to a wooden panel which when pressed
releases a false back concealing six drawers with ivory pulls! Then,
by pressing a false screw head in the hinge, another spring-loaded
panel is released exposing 2 more drawers! Removing those drawers
allows access to the final secret compartment which is cleverly
concealed in the lower front of the box as a large 5-sided tray
extending the width of the box which is held in place by 2 sliding
hooks. In all there are 4 large compartments and 8 drawers. This
magnificent writing desk/box bears the maker's decorative trade label
in two places. It reads (in part), "Hanford No. 94 Strand,
Manufacturer, of Copying Machines and Writing Desks and all kinds of
Ladie's and Gentlemen's Portable Cases for every Purpose Completed
& adapted for travelling in any part of the World. London." This
extremely stout box weighs an amazing 20 pounds! Closed, it measures
18 inches long, 10 1/2 inches wide and 7 inches high. When open it
measures approximately 27 inches on the diagonal. With only a few
minor flaws, it is in outstanding original condition belying its 150+
years.
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14.26 DECORATED CHINA TRADE TRUNK.
Outstanding 19th century Chinese export trunk with finest
construction and decoration. This large lovely trunk, measuring 40
inches long, 21 inches wide and 18 1/2 inches high, is crafted of
solid aromatic camphor wood using hand dove-tailed construction. It
is overlaid by pigskin and then fully brass-bound and tacked for
strength, durability and beauty. The lidded chest has three
substantial brass hinges and a folding brass "stay" to hold it once
open. Inside the reinforced lid is the entire original maker's label
reading "MADE IN CANTON CHINA. KWANG-TUNG. YUT WO" The front of the
chest is equipped with a brass pull ring for opening and the original
functional lock with skeleton key! Both ends of the chest retain
their heavy cast brass carrying handles. This colorful chest is
beautifully decorated with hand-painted Oriental vignettes depicting
exotic birds and floral designs set on a red background -- red being
the most collectible color of this genre of chests. The top leather
covering is in tact although somewhat buckled with age. The wooden
structure is solid and perfectly sound. Overall this chest is in
beautifully preserved condition, evidencing wear and age consistent
with a 150 year steamer trunk that has been used but not abused.
2500
Provenance: This China trade trunk came from the Farrell estate of Oakland, California. It was acquired by Mr. Farrell, a mining engineer, in Canton while on asignment in China in 1889. This same trunk accompanied the Farrell family while on tour in Europe in 1901.
This trunk is accompanied by a newspaper clipping reporting the sale of a similar trunk at auction in 2003. The trunk sold was smaller, not as decorative, minus its lock and key, and did not carry provenance.
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