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American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts: Featuring Property from Prominent New York and Philadelphia Collectors
|
- Sale 6427
Live
| Philadelphia
Nov 12 | 10:00 AM EST
Live
| Philadelphia
Sale 6427
| Philadelphia
| Philadelphia
Estimate$800 – $1,200
Provenance:
Junius Spencer Morgan II (1867-1932),
Thence by descent to Alexander Perry Morgan, Sr. (1900-1968) and Janet (Croll) Morgan (1901-1985),
Thence by descent to Margaret Croll Morgan (1926-2025).
Junius Spencer Morgan II was the son of George Hale Morgan (1840-1932) and Sarah Spencer Morgan (1839-1896), and nephew of American financier and banking magnate John Pierpont Morgan, Sr. (1837-1913). Following in his uncle's footsteps, Junius was a banker by trade, working for Cuyler, Morgan & Co. However, his passion for art and book collecting superseded his business, and by 1906 he became a full time collector. A graduate of Princeton University and a Princeton resident, he bequeathed a large portion of his art to the Princeton Art Museum. Other works, including books and Old Master prints, were given to the New York Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Perhaps his greatest achievement was serving as an art advisor and librarian for J.P. Morgan, guiding his purchases and even influencing the development and construction of the Morgan Library.
Junius' son Alexander Perry Morgan, also a Princeton graduate, left Princeton at the age of 24 to study architecture at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris. Aside from designing private residences, he is known for his other commercial and institutional works including the Johnson & Johnson research laboratory in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the top of the Empire State Building, and alterations to the Morgan Library.
overall in remarkable shape given age; retains old mirror plate, which is possibly original, but if not is very old, with nice flecking and inclusions, and some mild losses or scratches to mercury, commensurate with age; the backboard is original, and has later metal wedges holding it in place; the easel is original, but likely had a folding wood element at base for resting on a table- presently the backboard with a later brass chain that functions the same; the frame has some scattered occasional losses to boulle, with some occasional fill present, including at both bottom corners / bottom edge sides, as well as evidence of replaced brass elements to same corners; with some occasional losses and lifting to some brass pieces- some pieces loose; the brass or gilt bronze frame mounts with a few subtle solder repairs
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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 [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have
