Rosewood rococo marble-top parlor center table attributed to J. & J. W. Meeks sells for $33,350

ABERDEEN, Miss. - Jan. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- (ABERDEEN, Miss.) – A gorgeous rosewood rococo marble turtle-top parlor center table with cluster carved finial, attributed to the renowned American furniture maker J. & J.W. Meeks, sold for $33,350 at a multi-estate auction held Jan. 17-18 by Stevens Auction Company, in the firm’s gallery located at 609 Meridian Street in Aberdeen. The table was the top lot of the sale.

The auction featured more than 1,000 select and rare antiques (550 lots) from prominent Southern estates, plus items from the estate of the late Paul Dobbs of West Plains, Mo. It was packed with period furniture items by prolific craftsmen, large Persian rugs, 19^th century lighting, brilliant cut glass pieces, decorative accessories, home furnishings, early porcelains and art glass.

“It was a cold weekend, but it was warm inside the building and we may have generated some extra heat with all the spirited bidding going on,” said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company. “We were very pleased with the outcome. The merchandise spoke for itself, and the bidding in the room and online was brisk both days. The phones and left bids were active, too.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Additional lots attributed to Meeks included a pair of mirror image laminated rosewood recamiers (fainting couches) in the Stanton Hall pattern, upholstered in silk with gilt Napoleonic bees ($11,500 the pair), a rosewood laminated parlor cabinet with original mirrors and finish ($4,025), and a rosewood rococo center parlor game table with drawers on both sides ($2,990).

Monumental beds featured a rosewood half tester bed in mint condition, attributed to Mitchell & Rammelsberg, with original mosquito net hardware ($12,650), a mahogany Empire full tester plantation bed that was made around 1840 but has had just three owners ($8,625), and an ornate mahogany rococo oversized bed with pierce-carved and rounded footboard ($3,220).

Pairs of chairs did extremely well. Two rosewood laminated parlor side chairs in the Cornucopia pattern, crafted circa 1855 by John H. Belter, changed hands for $10,350, and an identical selling price was realized for a pair of J. & J.W. Meeks laminated rosewood arm chairs in the Stanton Hall pattern. The chairs were beautifully upholstered in silk with Napoleonic bees.

Also from the prolific workshop of Meeks was a pair of laminated rosewood parlor chairs in the Henry Ford pattern, upholstered in silk with Napoleonic bees. They sold as a single lot for $4,600. Two rococo revival pierce-carved parlor chairs – duplicates of a pair pictured in an 1849 advertisement for George Henkels, as shown in a March 1933 magazine – hammered for $4,600.

A Victorian crystal chandelier featuring eight tiers of crystal with silver rings and 30-35 strands of roping went to a determined bidder for $3,910. Also, a monumental banquet lamp with marble columns, claw feet and winged cherubs, with a huge antique 11-inch amber shade with lily decor, made $2,070.

American Brilliant Cut Glass (ABCG) pieces are a big hit with collectors, and this sale had a wide selection. An ABCG console bowl that was heavily cut and extremely fine, in mint condition, 15 inches across, fetched $3,910; a stunning ABCG plate, 13 inches in diameter, went for $3,910; and an ABCG square bowl, extremely heavy, signed Hawks, was a bargain at $288.

Returning to furniture, a Victorian walnut breakfront bookcase with butler’s desk and an unusual crest, 8 feet 9 inches tall, gaveled for $3,450; a large mahogany Empire three-door breakfront, 9 feet 3 inches tall, realized $2,875; a solid mahogany heavily carved French rococo sofa with brown leather, in mint condition, circa 1890, went for $2,070; and a mahogany Empire revival breakfront with mirror back and acanthus columns, circa 1870, knocked down at $1,955.

From the clocks category, an early grandfather clock by David Elias Bangor, 97 inches tall, chimed on time for $2,875; and a rosewood beehive clock with Baltimore cemetery scene, 19 inches by 10 inches, coasted to $1,035. Also, a National Cash Register candy store-size cash register in good working condition, with all original parts and key, found a new owner for $863.

Two French porcelain plaques in gesso frames, hand-painted and measuring 32 inches by 21 inches, circa 1870-1880, sold for $4,600 the pair; a 67-piece set of sterling silver flatware in the Grand Baroque pattern by Wallace (a service for eight, with extra serving pieces) breezed to $4,370; an outstanding rococo bronze dore mirror, 26 inches tall, commanded $2,250; and a Victorian rococo over-the-mantle mirror with ornate details, 55 inches by 60 inches, hit $1,035.

Other top lots included a bronze Victorian floor vase with the original amber glass insert, 55 inches tall ($1,265); a pair of Majolica figures in Arabian dress with musical instruments, sitting on an attached base, 19 inches tall ($863 the pair); and a diminutive, adorable 5-inch-tall Austrian gilt silver doll house bench with hand-painted enamel panels on back and seat ($518).

Stevens Auction Company’s next big auction is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, at the National Guard Armory building in Okolona, Miss. The auction will coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the Battle of Okolona, at which Confederate Gen. Forrest’s rebels turned back the larger and better equipped Union forces led by Gen. Smith. It was a major battle and a true turning point in the war, as Confederate forces, by dropping back and making the Union wait, forced Gen. Sherman to revise his scorched earth campaign, sparing some cities from burning.

A re-enactment of the Battle of Okolona will be staged, as part of the event's festivities. Fittingly, the auction will feature many items from the Civil War period, to include antique furnishings, glassware, light fixtures and many pieces of Civil War memorabilia, such as belt buckles, rifles and other items (from both North and South). Headlining the auction will be an important estate out of Columbus, Miss., as well as other prominent local estates and collections.

Stevens Auction Company is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (662) 369-2200; or, you can send them a e-mail at stevensauction@bellsouth.net. To learn more about Stevens Auction Company and the upcoming Feb. 22 auction please log on to www.stevensauction.com.

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