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THBRare Southern Folk Art Paint Decorated Walnut Table, Probably African American
About Seller
PO Box 2135
Asheville, NC 28802
United States
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Brunk Auctions has been conducting sales of fine and decorative arts for over 30 years. Auctions are held in our North Carolina sale room but attracts a global audience. Founded by Robert Brunk in 1983, the auctions became well known for their integrity and profes...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJan 29, 2025
As a singular figure in the world of American pottery and early textiles, Dr. Wahler was a celebrated curator, collector, and scholar. Early Southern furniture including four MESDA documented items: VA William and Mary paneled trunk, VA Chippendale Cupboard, TN inlaid cherry chest of drawers and a TN cherry high chest, many early Southern painted furniture examples, Ten Ulysses Davis folk art carvings, textiles to include a rare Asheville sampler dated 1824, quilt dated1861, rare Southern salt glaze and redware pottery examples to include TN, AL and NC. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
View Full Catalog (186)
- Lot Description
East Tennessee or North Georgia, likely African American, walnut with yellow pine, single drawer with nailed construction, distinctive paint decoration with snakes, lizards, fish, geometric motifs, and initials “TB”, accompanied by pre-conservation photos of the table at the time of its discovery, in 1992; 29-1/2 x 26 x 17-3/4 in.
Provenance: Purchased by Monty Young from Pat Walton in Georgia, 1992 (see images of the table at the time of its discovery, as well as the entry in Monty Young's account book); Carole Wahler bought the table from Monty Young the same year. Consignor notes suggest ownership by the Thomas Bragg family, and was referred to as their Bible table (genealogy records accompany the lot). The Art & Furniture of East Tennessee by Namuni H. Young, illustrates the table and indicates that it descended in a black family. The origin of the connection to the Bragg family of East Tennessee, as referenced in Mrs. Wahler's notes, is not known, but she presumably had good basis for it. Perhaps she was able to collect more provenance information from Pat Walton- the details of that history are not known; Collection of Carole Wahler, Knoxville, Tennessee
Note: In traditional African cultures, lizards and fish are rich with symbolism and meaning, sometimes alluding to spiritual or mystical references, fertility, rebirth, or the spirit world. The geometric motif on the center of the drawer recalls "Adinkra" symbols of the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. In that context, these symbols convey specific meanings, and were used in a number of different ways, and sometimes carved on stools for domestic or ritual use.
The authenticity of the paint is confirmed by the pre-conservation photos of the table. Apparently this table was the design source for several spurious tables that were fabricated after the publication of this example.
- Provenance
Provenance: Purchased by Monty Young from Pat Walton in Georgia, 1992; Carole Wahler bought the table from Monty Young the same year. Consignor notes suggest ownership by the Thomas Bragg family, and was referred to as their Bible table (genealogy records accompany the lot). The Art & Furniture of East Tennessee by Namuni H. Young, illustrates the table and indicates that it descended in a black family. The origin of the connection to the Bragg family of East Tennessee, as referenced in Mrs. Wahler's notes, is not known, but she presumably had good basis for it. Perhaps she was able to collect more provenance information from Pat Walton; Collection of Carole Wahler, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Shipping Info
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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
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- Condition
good condition and integrity, the black pigment has been strengthened (see pre-conservation photos); stains and wear to top, minor shrinkage crack at one back leg, other typical surface flaws
