A Fine American Aesthetic Parcel-Gilt and Ivory-Painted Cabinet
Attributed to George Schastey, New York, Circa 1875 The top with three-quarter brass gallery over Corinthian columnar supports and female therms before a mirrored backing, the lower section with a central glazed door enclosing a red velvet-lined interior flanked by cupboard doors carved with grotesques and foliate vines, raised on hairy animal paw feet.
Height 67 x length 64 x depth 22 inches

The recent scholarship and subsequent exhibition entitled Artistic Furniture and the Gilded Age, held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, explored the work of George Schastey, one of the pre-eminent furniture makers in America during the last quarter of the 19th century. His work had often previously been attributed to his competitors, including Herter Brothers and Pottier & Stymus, and with good reason. By 1869, he was known to have worked for Pottier & Stymus as well as Herter Brothers, and later was subcontracted by both to supplement large projects, especially contributing to the extensive commissions for the Big Four- Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Charles Crocker and Collis Huntington. Schastey exhibited at the International Centennial Exhibition of 1876 in Philadelphia, being awarded a bronze medal (first place).

Schastey has now been credited with a body of work, including the Aabella Huntington Dressing Room installed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as examples now in the collections of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, the Munson-Williams Proctor Arts Institute, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, Chicago, the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, the Seattle Art Museum and the Brooklyln Museum to name a few.

For an extensive discussion of Schastey's work, see Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Nicholas C. Vincent and Moira Gallagher, Artistic Furniture of the Gilded Age, Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The original pink marble cracked in half; rubbing to paint on left and right sides; lockplate stamped G Bayer Pat. Feb 6 1872.

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Jon King

Senior Specialist, Southeast

[email protected]404.877.2650

Jon King is a senior specialist in the Southeast region at Hindman.

Mr. King began his career in the early 1980s at Sotheby’s in Los Angeles and New York. Mr. King later ventured into the world of auction house management. He first oversaw a staff of 60 as Executive Vice President, Director of the Butterfield Los Angeles gallery and became a founding Vice President and Director of Bonhams, New York when the British firm opened their doors in September of 2003. After a decade directing the New York operation, he went on to spearhead business in both New York and Florida as Vice President and Director of Business Development for Bonhams. Mr. King had the pleasure of securing and overseeing such collections as the estates of Lauren Bacall, Truman Capote, Aimee de Heeren, Liberace, Kalef Alaton, Michael Taylor, Burton Bettingen, among others, as well as having the distinction of working with the PBS Antiques Roadshow and HGTV’s Appraise It!.

Yarden Elias

Appraisals Manager

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Kristin Vaughn

SVP, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients, Georgia; Tennessee, North Carolina, & South Carolina

[email protected]404.800.0192

Kristin Vaughn, based in Atlanta, serves as the client liaison for auction and appraisal services across Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Since 2019, she has led the firm’s outreach in her region to the Trust and Estates community, guiding private clients and advisors through auctions, private sales, and appraisal services. Kristin is known for her client-first approach, delivering seamless experiences and exceptional results.

She has played a key role in securing and managing major consignments, including the Estates of Olga Hirshhorn, Gerard Cafesjian, David Heath, and Charles Ackerman, as well as property from historic homes such as Charleston’s Sword Gate House and Nashville’s Burlington House; and property from private collections such as the Charleston home of Darla Moore and Antiquities and Ancient Jewelry from the Brummer Collection. She has also worked with prominent institutions including the Atlanta History Center, The High Museum, The Ringling Museum, and the Appleton Museum.

Kristin is active in estate planning councils, collector circles, and historic preservation groups. Beyond her professional role, Kristin is a rescue dog advocate and dedicated community volunteer involved in civic and beautification efforts.

Jon King is a senior specialist in the Southeast region at Hindman.

Atlanta Collections

A Fine American Aesthetic Parcel-Gilt and Ivory-Painted Cabinet

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