Stanley Weiss Collection

A Commodious Mahogany Hepplewhite Camelback Sofa with Serpentine Back and Seat with Spade Feet, New York, c.1800, Provenance from Samuel Kirkland (d.1808) of Clinton, New York.
This elegant sofa has fine stylized lines with a serpentine curved front seat rail making for a commodious and comfortable sofa. The arms are carefully scrolled and restrained as is the arching of the back which complements the seat. The legs are Hepplewhite in style with spade feet, which are reinforced with their original stretchers. The fabric is new and is a fine silk damask with a feather stuffing, all of which is in perfect condition. The foundation materials are all new and images of the frame prior to upholstery are included below. This was upholstered by Manfred Woerner, who does upholstery for museums.

This sofa is virtually new, with the exception of its frame which is in a fine state of preservation, which we have tightened up, etc. (see images). It is literally in showroom condition and is beautifully striking.

Provenance:
Henry P. Kendall, Boston, Mass, purchased from William W. Gray, Camden, South Carolina; purchased from the estate of Samuel Kirkland, Clinton, NY. According to a letter by David Wilder, librarian, Hamilton College, dated April 13th, 1949:
In 1796 and 1797, after his second marriage, Kirkland built a large house which was occupied by the family for many years after his death in 1808. It seemed to Mr. Ibbotson and myself, as we discussed it, that the sofa in question was probably acquired as a part of the furniture for this new home.

Length: 98 in. Height: 41 in. Depth: 36 in.

A Hepplewhite China Trade Bone-inlaid Sideboard, China, c. 1800. Small scale with a deep serving area which is probably padouk wood. China export is arrived at by the western Hepplewhite design by the western market. Since the mid 19th c it lived its life in a major Providence hotel and retains its early first surface including its pulls. This sideboard although small weighs a ton and exhibits superior craftsmanship throughout. Note the apron panels that are affixed to the leg are actually pegged in place.See first image.

A Carved Cuban Mahogany Lowboy/Dressing Table with Shell and Claw & Ball Feet, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c.1740. This Queen Anne lowboy (dressing table) is as clean and fine as it gets. It truly speaks of 1760 and earlier, possibly 1740. Unlike many Philadelphia lowboys, which are over the top as far as embellishments (carving) this piece is quite restrained and makes its individualistic statement with a diminutive dropped panel and beautifully carved shell. Many of these earlier lowboys do not have any appendage at all. It's the usual one drawer over two. The table is composed of wonderfully dense Cuban mahogany that speaks of a worthy early piece. The top has a very large overhang indicative of its earliness, and beautifully stepped. All original pegs holding the top remain, exclusively. The cabinetmaker didn't spare very much, including shell knees, fluted corners, and four tightly carved claw and ball feet. The condition is immaculate, and the surface old with additions of polish and wax throughout the years. This table comes from an old time Pennsylvania family/collector .

Last, but not least, are the brasses, which are original, and heavily cast.

Height: 27 3/4 in. Width: 34 in.
Case Width: 27 3/4 in.
Depth: 20 1/2 in.

A Rare and Fine Queen Anne Compass Star Inlaid Dressing Table, Boston, c. 1730.