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American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts
|
- Sale 2100
Live
| Philadelphia
Nov 19 | 10:00 AM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 2100
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$5,000 – $8,000
Provenance:
Bernard & S. Dean Levy Inc., New York, NY, 1976.
Note:
This slant-front desk, exhibiting gadrooned ogee bracket feet, appears to be one of a small group of desks and chests that are all attributed to William King of Salem, Massachusetts. Most recently, a near identical example was sold at Christie's, New York, from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Max R. Zaitz (January 2016, lot 181). That piece had originally been built for Captain David Smith and his wife Mary "Polly" (Collins) Smith.
Another example, a chest of drawers, also sold at Christie's, New York from the Collection of Mrs. J. Insley Blair (January 21, 2006, lot 526 and January 24, 2014, lot 135). This piece was illustrated as the frontispiece in The Magazine Antiques (September 1927).
Yet another chest, again with near identical feet, is in the Peabody Essex Museum and was previously illustrated in Dean Fales' Essex County Furniture: Documented Treasures from Local Collections, 1660-1860, fig. 25.
William "Bill" Clifton Buck (1928-2023) was a successful businessman, avid sportsman, and leader within the Philadelphia community. Bill attended Lafayette College, where he majored in Economics, and later joined the family business, Smith Kline and French (later GlaxoSmithKline). Alongside his brothers, he founded and expanded The Drug House and later established TDH, a venture capital firm that invested in major companies such as ESPN and Staples. Bill married Laura Thomas (1931-2024) in 1954, and they enjoyed a vibrant 68-year marriage. Together, they were active philanthropists, supporting numerous organizations and causes in Nantucket, Vero Beach, and Philadelphia, including the Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In addition, Bill’s lifelong passion for baseball led him to become a partner in the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, and he cherished the team's successes, including the 2008 World Series win.
“Bucktucket,” their beloved Nantucket residence, offered an impressive backdrop for the couple’s collection of Nantucket art. The furnishings of Bucktucket, a traditional cedar-shake house, and of the couple’s Villanova residence seamlessly blended their varied interests into an inviting and cohesive aesthetic. Bill and Laura loved discovering just the right things to fill their homes, meeting artists and dealers along the way. Their collection is marked by several spectacular pieces, including fine period furniture, maritime painting, scrimshaw, sailor’s valentines, wool-work pictures, ceramics, and folk art, offered within this single-owner sequence.
with refreshed finish, but has nice visual presence; with some moderate sun-fading to side panels and front feet (particularly sides); left side panel with a couple age cracks; slant front with patch to upper edge; the file slides to interior appear to be rebuilt, and the small drawer inside well of prospect door appears to be rebuilt / later; small brass knob to top right-most short drawer to interior is somewhat loose; the brasses appear to be period, but are replacements, the drawers showing signs of other screw holes; bottom most drawer needs some re-tacking to back / bottom board attachment; hinges to slant front probably tightened or secured, the left-facing hinge with small patch alongside it, the right-facing hinge with a couple subtle age cracks alongside it, the exterior of slant front exhibiting small fill holes from where screws inserted; back right-facing foot facing with area of fill and overpainting - possible repair, same foot missing support block to back
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email ataggart@freemansauction.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email ataggart@freemansauction.com
Lynda Cain
VP, Head of Department, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts
Andrew Taggart
Associate Vice President, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts
