ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A carved mahogany desk attributed to a noted 18th century Virginia cabinetmaker is the star attraction at Brunk Auction’s May 15-16 sale.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide absentee and Internet live bidding.
This important piece of Southern furniture, which will sell on Saturday, May 16, is attributed to Scottish émigré cabinetmaker Robert Walker (1710-1777) of King George County, who with his older brother William, was in great demand among the wealthiest families in the colony and often worked in tandem building and furnishing houses.
The desk’s remarkable iconography – including hairy paw feet, knees carved with lions’ heads, and the bust of a Roman statesman raised in relief on its prospect door – is exceptional for Colonial America. It has an estimate of $150,000-$250,000.
Also selling that day will be an elegant set of 12 English George III mahogany dining chairs, circa 1785, which is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.
An outstanding painting in the Friday, May 15, sale is a Frank Earle Schoonover (Delaware/Pennsylvania, 1877-1972) oil on canvas titled I watched them for a few hours but they showed no sign of taking to the bush. (#1291), circa 1926. Estimate: $18,000-$24,000.
Also selling May 15 is Charles Morris Young (Pennsylvania/Maine, 1869-1964) painting titled The Meet at White Horse Tavern, 1923, which has a $12,000-$18,000 estimate.
