Colonial Furniture
including colonial style after the Independence
not including Old clocks
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Furniture Chairs and seats
Chronology : 1770-1779 1792
not including Old clocks
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Furniture Chairs and seats
Chronology : 1770-1779 1792
Rhode Island
1
1745 Desk-and-Bookcase by Christopher Townsend
1999 SOLD for $ 8.3M by Sotheby's
Newport was one of the busiest ports in colonial America. It was one of the strategic points of the slave trade. They distilled rum with sugar cane from the Caribbean, then exchanged the drink for African people.
The maritime business was conducive to the delivery of mahogany, and Newport became a major center of furniture manufacturing.
Job and Christopher Townsend, members of the Quaker community of Newport RI, establish themselves as carpenters in 1723 and are also joiners. At that time Newport needs to manage its economic and religious independence from Boston. The two brothers become cabinetmakers.
They work together. The earliest reference to their new activity is a letter from Christopher in 1733 describing a desk-and-bookcase that Job had just sold. For nearly a century, this family, closely linked to the Goddard, Casey and Spencer families, will produce top quality mahogany furniture.
Attribution is difficult. Only one known piece, which is also a desk-and-bookcase, bears the label of Job Townsend. Christopher Townsend's previously unknown signature was discovered in 1998 on another desk-and-bookcase that was in France for nearly two centuries. Its traceability is perfect : it had been delivered to a minister in Cambridge MA and exported circa 1800 by his grandson in charge of a permanent diplomatic mission in France.
This piece of furniture in superb condition is typical of the best craftsmanship of American cabinetmakers of the 1740s. It was mounted in marked silver by a very young goldsmith named Samuel Casey who established his business in 1745 in Exeter RI after an apprenticeship in Boston. This is the only known American piece of furniture with solid silver handles. It was sold for $ 8.3M by Sotheby's on January 16, 1999.
The maritime business was conducive to the delivery of mahogany, and Newport became a major center of furniture manufacturing.
Job and Christopher Townsend, members of the Quaker community of Newport RI, establish themselves as carpenters in 1723 and are also joiners. At that time Newport needs to manage its economic and religious independence from Boston. The two brothers become cabinetmakers.
They work together. The earliest reference to their new activity is a letter from Christopher in 1733 describing a desk-and-bookcase that Job had just sold. For nearly a century, this family, closely linked to the Goddard, Casey and Spencer families, will produce top quality mahogany furniture.
Attribution is difficult. Only one known piece, which is also a desk-and-bookcase, bears the label of Job Townsend. Christopher Townsend's previously unknown signature was discovered in 1998 on another desk-and-bookcase that was in France for nearly two centuries. Its traceability is perfect : it had been delivered to a minister in Cambridge MA and exported circa 1800 by his grandson in charge of a permanent diplomatic mission in France.
This piece of furniture in superb condition is typical of the best craftsmanship of American cabinetmakers of the 1740s. It was mounted in marked silver by a very young goldsmith named Samuel Casey who established his business in 1745 in Exeter RI after an apprenticeship in Boston. This is the only known American piece of furniture with solid silver handles. It was sold for $ 8.3M by Sotheby's on January 16, 1999.
2
1756 Highboy by John Townsend
2012 SOLD for $ 3.6M by Sotheby's
In the ancient meaning of that word, a masterpiece (or chef d'oeuvre) is the piece with which a craftsman terminates his apprenticeship. This work demonstrates his know how and opens to him the right of creating his own workshop.
A high chest of drawers (or highboy) is signed by John Townsend, located in Newport (Rhode Island) and dated 1756. This craftsman who was to become the most renowned cabinetmaker of Newport was then 23 years old, and this piece is one of the first pieces of furniture signed by him.
It is a mahogany chest of Queen Anne style, similar to examples made in Philadelphia at the same time. Measuring 2.25 x 1.02 x 0.54 m, it has carved higher and lower rails and high claw feet enclosing balls.
It remained in its original condition and has always belonged to the same family. It was sold for $ 3.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on January 21, 2012, lot 186.
A high chest of drawers (or highboy) is signed by John Townsend, located in Newport (Rhode Island) and dated 1756. This craftsman who was to become the most renowned cabinetmaker of Newport was then 23 years old, and this piece is one of the first pieces of furniture signed by him.
It is a mahogany chest of Queen Anne style, similar to examples made in Philadelphia at the same time. Measuring 2.25 x 1.02 x 0.54 m, it has carved higher and lower rails and high claw feet enclosing balls.
It remained in its original condition and has always belonged to the same family. It was sold for $ 3.6M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Sotheby's on January 21, 2012, lot 186.
3
1755-1765 Cabinet by John Townsend
2012 SOLD for $ 3.45M by Christie's
Developed at Newport, the block-and-shell style is a storage cabinet inspired by the Chippendale style. The square front is divided into three sections: a central part and two stacks of square drawers, the Blocks. Each section is decorated with a carved shell in its upper part.
On January 20, 2012, Christie's sold for $ 3.45M a small cabinet 70 x 65 x 33 cm. Made in mahogany between 1755 and 1765, it is one of the earliest examples of block and shell and one of very few to have been signed by John Townsend.
On January 20, 2012, Christie's sold for $ 3.45M a small cabinet 70 x 65 x 33 cm. Made in mahogany between 1755 and 1765, it is one of the earliest examples of block and shell and one of very few to have been signed by John Townsend.
4
1763 Tea Table by John Goddard
2005 SOLD for $ 8.4M by Sotheby's
Established in Newport RI, John Goddard, who married in 1746 the daughter of Job Townsend, produces mahogany furniture with an exquisite carving. His serpentine furniture with ball and claw feet is reflecting an awareness of French taste as interpreted by English cabinetmakers.
An early mahogany slab table of Queen Anne style, signed by Goddard and documented by its 1755 bill of sale, was sold for $ 2.1M by Christie's on January 20, 2012, lot 139. The grain of the mahogany was deliberately chosen to maximize the elegance. That model is requiring marble tops that were shaped to fit the frames. This example keeps it original marble top.
Not far from Newport, in Providence RI, the four Brown brothers, working in partnership until 1771, make their fortune in the maritime trade.
Weddings are an opportunity to acquire furniture. The transactions between John Brown and John Goddard in 1760 are documented by a statement of account and a progress report.
This supply included a tea table with scalloped edges. In 1763 two other tables were documented by Goddard in similar letters, one for a close associate of the Four Browns and the other for one of their cousins. These deliveries within a closed circle of customers suggest that the model was exclusive.
In 1762 Nicholas Brown, the head of the family, is married in his turn. He orders his table. A year later the younger brother rebukes John Goddard for having managed competing priorities. The table was delivered to Nicholas in the fall of 1763. Satisfied with this acquisition, Nicholas Brown had a replica of this piece made two years later. This one is not documented but the almost perfect conformity of the copy is attributed to the entourage of John Goddard.
Both tables had been in Brown's lineage, together for three generations and then reunited again in 1970. The table provided by Goddard, in remarkable condition, was sold for $ 8.4M by Sotheby's on January 22 2005, lot 809. The replica was sold for $ 910K by Sotheby's on January 21, 2017, lot 4231.
An early mahogany slab table of Queen Anne style, signed by Goddard and documented by its 1755 bill of sale, was sold for $ 2.1M by Christie's on January 20, 2012, lot 139. The grain of the mahogany was deliberately chosen to maximize the elegance. That model is requiring marble tops that were shaped to fit the frames. This example keeps it original marble top.
Not far from Newport, in Providence RI, the four Brown brothers, working in partnership until 1771, make their fortune in the maritime trade.
Weddings are an opportunity to acquire furniture. The transactions between John Brown and John Goddard in 1760 are documented by a statement of account and a progress report.
This supply included a tea table with scalloped edges. In 1763 two other tables were documented by Goddard in similar letters, one for a close associate of the Four Browns and the other for one of their cousins. These deliveries within a closed circle of customers suggest that the model was exclusive.
In 1762 Nicholas Brown, the head of the family, is married in his turn. He orders his table. A year later the younger brother rebukes John Goddard for having managed competing priorities. The table was delivered to Nicholas in the fall of 1763. Satisfied with this acquisition, Nicholas Brown had a replica of this piece made two years later. This one is not documented but the almost perfect conformity of the copy is attributed to the entourage of John Goddard.
Both tables had been in Brown's lineage, together for three generations and then reunited again in 1970. The table provided by Goddard, in remarkable condition, was sold for $ 8.4M by Sotheby's on January 22 2005, lot 809. The replica was sold for $ 910K by Sotheby's on January 21, 2017, lot 4231.
5
1765 Bureau Table by John Goddard
2011 SOLD for $ 5.7M by Christie's
A mahogany bureau table in the Newport Chippendale block and shell style is identified by a mid 19th century pencil label in a drawer as having been made by John Goddard for his daughter Catherine. Indeed a desk-and-bookcase with very similar shell carving was attributed by Thomas Goddard to his father John and dated 1761 by him. Several construction details are also consistent with John's workmanship.
This model is also referred as kneehole bureau or desk table. This example made ca 1765 when Catherine was 8 years old is 90 cm high, 80 cm wide and 50 cm deep.
It was sold for $ 5.7M from a lower estimate of $ 700K by Christie's on January 21, 2011, lot 92.
This model is also referred as kneehole bureau or desk table. This example made ca 1765 when Catherine was 8 years old is 90 cm high, 80 cm wide and 50 cm deep.
It was sold for $ 5.7M from a lower estimate of $ 700K by Christie's on January 21, 2011, lot 92.
6
1772-1785 Desk-and-Bookcase attributed to Daniel Spencer
1989 SOLD for $ 12M by Christie's
The Block and Shell style, denoting the ornaments of the drawers, appears around 1755 in Newport RI in the furniture made by the Townsend-Goddard dynasty of cabinetmakers.
The Chippendale style succeeds the Queen Anne. John Goddard is probably the first to make the desk-and-bookcase which is an adaptation of the Block and Shell to the Chippendale. These pieces of furniture are not signed and very difficult to attribute to one or another master in that family. Nine examples in the six-shell design have survived, all of them in mahogany.
The Brown brothers were wealthy merchants and statesmen of Providence RI, involved in slave trade and smuggling. A Newport-style desk-and-bookcase that belonged to John Brown, 272 × 113 × 64 cm, is kept at Yale University. The piece that belonged to Nicholas Brown, 287 × 108 × 64 cm, is very similar. It had remained in the direct descent of its first owner and was sold for $ 12M by Christie's on June 3, 1989.
For the attribution of these two pieces of furniture, it was noticed that Daniel Spencer, a nephew of John Goddard, had left Newport and established a workshop for the making of cabinets and chairs in Providence in 1772. The terminus ante quem is his imprisonment for debt in 1785. He ended his career in Kentucky.
The Chippendale style succeeds the Queen Anne. John Goddard is probably the first to make the desk-and-bookcase which is an adaptation of the Block and Shell to the Chippendale. These pieces of furniture are not signed and very difficult to attribute to one or another master in that family. Nine examples in the six-shell design have survived, all of them in mahogany.
The Brown brothers were wealthy merchants and statesmen of Providence RI, involved in slave trade and smuggling. A Newport-style desk-and-bookcase that belonged to John Brown, 272 × 113 × 64 cm, is kept at Yale University. The piece that belonged to Nicholas Brown, 287 × 108 × 64 cm, is very similar. It had remained in the direct descent of its first owner and was sold for $ 12M by Christie's on June 3, 1989.
For the attribution of these two pieces of furniture, it was noticed that Daniel Spencer, a nephew of John Goddard, had left Newport and established a workshop for the making of cabinets and chairs in Providence in 1772. The terminus ante quem is his imprisonment for debt in 1785. He ended his career in Kentucky.
7
1792 Chest of Drawers by John Townsend
1998 SOLD for $ 4.7M by Christies
A mahogany chest with four drawers in Chippendale block and shell style is attributed by a printed label to John Townsend, Newport, with a handwritten inscription to Sarah Slocum dated to 1792. The date comes just after the death of Sarah's father, a quaker fellow of Townsend and a long time resident in Newport, and her marriage at the age of 21.
It was sold for $ 4.7M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Christie's on June 18, 1998, lot 151. It is 86 cm high, 91 cm wide and 48 cm deep..
It was sold for $ 4.7M from a lower estimate of $ 1.5M by Christie's on June 18, 1998, lot 151. It is 86 cm high, 91 cm wide and 48 cm deep..
Philadelphia
1
1750 Footstool
2008 SOLD for $ 5.2M by Sotheby's
The Queen Anne style brought to England lighter pieces of furniture, skilfully carved in richly toned woods. From the 1730s the high classes in Boston and Philadelphia enjoy this highly elegant style. Tables and seats display signature S-shaped outward turned legs.
A footstool 40 cm high made ca 1750 in Philadelphia was sold for $ 5.2M from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Sotheby's on September 26, 2008, lot 117. Made in walnut, it displays a dark rich possibly original surface and has been reupholstered in a period correct fabric.
It has all the Queen Anne features including the paneled foot pads. The serpentine shape of the seat rail is unique of its kind in colonial and world furniture.
A footstool 40 cm high made ca 1750 in Philadelphia was sold for $ 5.2M from a lower estimate of $ 200K by Sotheby's on September 26, 2008, lot 117. Made in walnut, it displays a dark rich possibly original surface and has been reupholstered in a period correct fabric.
It has all the Queen Anne features including the paneled foot pads. The serpentine shape of the seat rail is unique of its kind in colonial and world furniture.
2
1755 Armchair
2006 SOLD for $ 2.26M by Sotheby's
Founded by William Penn, Philadelphia meaning the city of brotherly friendship is the center of an intense intellectual activity keenly animated by Benjamin Franklin. A group of walnut armchairs is particularly appealing the historians because they are the witnesses of these learned societies, but they have not yet unveiled the circumstances of their origin.
These pieces are scattered and nothing is known of their history before their separation. Five of them are numbered : II, III, IIII, V and VIII, with the matching frame numbers except for chair VIII which is fitted with frame I.
Their Queen Anne style was common in Philadelphia. The elegance of these luxury seats is obtained by the carefully rounded sculpture of their wood elements. The complex assembly is reinforced with iron in the most fragile areas. Their overall height, long elbows and hollowed decorated back confirm that they constitute a single group, certainly executed from the same block of highly figured walnut.
The comparison with other individual seats including side chairs leaves no doubt on the fact that they were manufactured in Philadelphia in the eighteenth century. The are the only group of its kind from which examples have survived.
The highest known number, VIII, suggests that they have been designed for the use of a community or a club. The name of the great bibliophile James Logan, who was also a mayor of Philadelphia, was proposed but the argument about such a provenance is not based on period documents.
Chair V was sold for $ 2.26M by Sotheby's on October 7, 2006 from a lower estimate of $ 500K, lot 318. Chair IIII was sold for $ 750K by Christie's on January 21, 2022, lot 358. Chair II with some elements replaced was sold for $ 227K by Christie's on January 24, 2025, lot 563.
A unique unnumbered armchair is known. Its final characteristics are identical to those of the other four units and it comes undoubtedly from the same original operation. Some holes to facilitate the assembly, present on the other chairs, are missing to this one, opening the interesting hypothesis that this piece would be a prototype for the series. It was sold for $ 760K by Sotheby's on April 19, 2023, lot 41.
The set may be dated around 1755, which corresponds to the period of preparation of the Philadelphia public library following the very generous legacy made by Logan.
These pieces are scattered and nothing is known of their history before their separation. Five of them are numbered : II, III, IIII, V and VIII, with the matching frame numbers except for chair VIII which is fitted with frame I.
Their Queen Anne style was common in Philadelphia. The elegance of these luxury seats is obtained by the carefully rounded sculpture of their wood elements. The complex assembly is reinforced with iron in the most fragile areas. Their overall height, long elbows and hollowed decorated back confirm that they constitute a single group, certainly executed from the same block of highly figured walnut.
The comparison with other individual seats including side chairs leaves no doubt on the fact that they were manufactured in Philadelphia in the eighteenth century. The are the only group of its kind from which examples have survived.
The highest known number, VIII, suggests that they have been designed for the use of a community or a club. The name of the great bibliophile James Logan, who was also a mayor of Philadelphia, was proposed but the argument about such a provenance is not based on period documents.
Chair V was sold for $ 2.26M by Sotheby's on October 7, 2006 from a lower estimate of $ 500K, lot 318. Chair IIII was sold for $ 750K by Christie's on January 21, 2022, lot 358. Chair II with some elements replaced was sold for $ 227K by Christie's on January 24, 2025, lot 563.
A unique unnumbered armchair is known. Its final characteristics are identical to those of the other four units and it comes undoubtedly from the same original operation. Some holes to facilitate the assembly, present on the other chairs, are missing to this one, opening the interesting hypothesis that this piece would be a prototype for the series. It was sold for $ 760K by Sotheby's on April 19, 2023, lot 41.
The set may be dated around 1755, which corresponds to the period of preparation of the Philadelphia public library following the very generous legacy made by Logan.
3
1760 Tea Table
2007 SOLD for $ 6.8M by Christie's
The second half of the eighteenth century saw a rapid economic growth in Boston and Philadelphia. Politically Philadelphia, thanks to its central position inside the colonies, will play the major role at the time of independence.
The higher bourgeoisie of Philadelphia welcomed the mahogany furniture in Chippendale style. Curiously, the best cabinet makers have not been identified and their achievements have been grouped under later coined pseudonyms.
The tea table with tilt top and scalloped edge is one of the most stunning models from Philadelphia's colonial furniture. Their carving is abundant and extremely careful.
The appearance of an unpublished piece of furniture in perfect condition in direct line from Philadelphia's notable families is an important event, especially when these pieces have been normally maintained without being retouched.
This is the case of the tea table from Fisher-Fox provenance carved by "Garver" around 1760. It was sold for $ 6.8M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Christie's on October 3, 2007, lot 94.
On January 31, 2015, Keno sold for $ 1.9M the Potter-Crouch-Jordan specimen executed at the same period by "Spike", in a similar conservation status, and which is also a new discovery. Both pieces are very similar, and it is quite possible that these anonymous Spike and Garver were sharing the same shop.
The higher bourgeoisie of Philadelphia welcomed the mahogany furniture in Chippendale style. Curiously, the best cabinet makers have not been identified and their achievements have been grouped under later coined pseudonyms.
The tea table with tilt top and scalloped edge is one of the most stunning models from Philadelphia's colonial furniture. Their carving is abundant and extremely careful.
The appearance of an unpublished piece of furniture in perfect condition in direct line from Philadelphia's notable families is an important event, especially when these pieces have been normally maintained without being retouched.
This is the case of the tea table from Fisher-Fox provenance carved by "Garver" around 1760. It was sold for $ 6.8M from a lower estimate of $ 2M by Christie's on October 3, 2007, lot 94.
On January 31, 2015, Keno sold for $ 1.9M the Potter-Crouch-Jordan specimen executed at the same period by "Spike", in a similar conservation status, and which is also a new discovery. Both pieces are very similar, and it is quite possible that these anonymous Spike and Garver were sharing the same shop.
