American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts: Featuring Property from Prominent New York and Philadelphia Collectors

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Junius was a banker by trade, working for Cuyler, Morgan & Co. However, his passion for art and book collecting superseded his business, and by 1906 he became a full time collector.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.

Note:

Junius Spencer Morgan II was son of George Hale Morgan (1840-1932) and Sarah Spencer Morgan (1839-1896), and nephew of American 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Junius was a banker by trade, working for Cuyler, Morgan & Co. However, his passion for art and book collecting superseded his business, and by 1906 he became a full time collector.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 gifted a significant amount of art to the Princeton Art Museum. He also supported the New York Public Library and the Metropolitan Museum of Art with his bequests. Perhaps his greatest achievement was serving as an art advisor and librarian for J.P. Morgan, 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.

This pair of candlesticks may have originally been part of a larger service owned by John Pierpont Morgan, Sr., as a set of four candlesticks by William Cafe, dated 1765, are listed as lot 31 in The Morgan Collection: Highly Important English and Continental Silver and Objects of Vertu, Christie's, New York, October 26, 1982. This lot is accompanied by a copy of this auction catalogue.

A few minor areas of polish build-up, most notably at the base of the stem where it meets the plinth. The plinth bases with some scattered pitting. Some very minor denting to the lip of the socket (not visible when bobeche is in place). Overall good condition, ready to place.

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