Two classical sideboards at auction recently caught my attention. The first has massive carving on the back splat remotely comparable (in terms of the scale of the carved area) only to one in storage at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. This sideboard is being offered at Dargate auctions in Pittsburgh December 5. The description is as follows:
Lot 2287: MAHOGANY CLASSICAL SIDEBOARD (19th c.) MAHOGANY CLASSICAL SIDEBOARD (19th c.) Highly carved backsplash centered with basket of fruit, cornucopia ends, flat top with bowed center, bowed center drawer over conforming paneled doors, acanthus topped arched and reeded stiles, flanked by short drawers over paneled doors, molded base ending on ball feet. Glass pulls. Old label: Bowles – Ye Antique Shoppe, 417 Penn Ave. Next Hotel Lincoln, Pittsburgh, PA. Everything in Antiques. Condition: old refinish, age appropriate scuffs and wear. Dimensions: 71 1/2”W, 24”D, 51”H. Estimated Price: $800 – $1,200
The form of the cabinet has significant variations from the other sideboards, and I suspect it may have been constructed late in the period. There’s no way to know where this sideboard was crafted, but it seems to have been in Pittsburgh for a long time. It would be great to be able to inspect it in person.
The second sideboard was at Garth’s recently and was described as possibly being by Philadelphia cabinetmaker Anthony Quervelle.
Lot 404: EMPIRE SIDEBOARD. Possibly Anthony Quervelle, Philadelphia, 2nd quarter-19th century. Mahogany and flame veneer. Good classical detail with paw feet, Ionic columns, large central sunburst, dovetailed drawers, pull-out shelf and marble insert with cresting mirror flanked by Ionic columns and curved crest. 56″h. 72″w. 22″d.
Without inspecting in person, this really seemed to be an exceptional lot and a good value for someone at the $2,169 realized price. If only life necessitated more than one sideboard to be complete!
Urban Art & Antiques 