730. American Renaissance Carved and Burled Walnut Cylinder Desk, probably late 19th c., broken arch cornice centered by a bulbous finial, glazed doors, shelf interior, cylinder lid, fitted interior, pull‑ out writing surface, three frieze drawers, center cabinet flanked by four small drawers on each side, h. 108 in., w. 50 in., d. 22 1/2 in. $2500/5000
731. Rare American Rococo Carved Rosewood Dressing Chest, c. 1850‑1860, possibly J. & J. W. Meeks, New York, foliate and floral carved crest, mirror flanked by shelves surmounted by finials over serpentine cabinets, later marble, serpentine case with three graduated drawers, plinth base, disc feet, h. 84 1/4 in., w. 48 in., d. 25 3/4 in. $1500/2500
732. American Bronze Solar Lamp, c. 1845, Philadelphia, labeled “Cornelius & Co.”, patent date Apr. 1, 1843, in the Rococo Revival taste, standard and tripod base heavily detailed with scroll, foliate and shell motifs, frosted and etched mushroom shade, electrified, h. 24 in., dia. 10 in. $1200/1800
733. Fine American Rococo Patinated Bronze and Gilt Metal Six‑Light Gasolier, mid‑19th c., attr. to Cornelius & Co., standard with addorsed figures of “Art”, “Science”, and “Industry”, foliate arms mounted with birds, ending in female terms holding dolphins, grotesque mask gas keys, electrified, h. 61 in., dia. 38 in. $8000/12000 Provenance: Estate of D. Clive Hardy, New Orleans.
Note: This lot is nearly identical to a gasolier in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (acc. 64.36.3), illustrated on the cover of 19th Century America: Furniture and Other Decorative Arts. Cornelius & Co. was founded in Philadelphia in 1827 and was one of the most successful manufacturers of fine lighting in the United States. The firm became Cornelius & Baker in 1851 when Isaac F. Baker formed a partnership with Robert Cornelius and remained among the most sought‑after makers until 1869 when the partnership dissolved. Ref.: 19th Century America: Furniture and Other Decorative Arts. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York, 1970, fig. 135; Fennimore, Donald L. “Cornelius & Baker: Manufacturers of Lamps, Chandeliers, Gas Fixtures, Bronze Ornaments.” incollect. com/articles/cornelius‑baker‑manufacturers‑of‑lamps‑chandeliers‑ gas‑fixtures‑bronze‑ornaments‑c‑c. Accessed August 21, 2018.
734. American Gilt Brass Solar Lamp, mid‑19th c., attr. to Starr Fellows, New York, baluster form on marble base, double gourd cut glass shade with gothic arch motif, h. 20 in. $500/700 Provenance: The Service Collection, Estate of Grant A. Oakes, Warren, OH.
735. American Gilt Bronze Solar Lamp, mid‑19th c., attr. to Dietz, New York, fluted column with foliate foot, marble base, cut shade, h. 16 in. $500/700 Provenance: The Service Collection, Estate of Grant A. Oakes, Warren, OH.
736. Fine American Rococo Carved and Laminated Rosewood Sofa, attr. to John Henry Belter, in the pattern commonly referred to as “Rosalie”, triple back rose and fruit carved crests, serpentine arms, conforming serpentine seat rail, rose carved cabriole legs, h. 37 in., w. 61 1/2 in., d. 34 in. $1500/2500 Additional information at www.nealauction.com
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