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THBCincinnati Art-Carved Secretary Bookcase by Mary Louise Bentley with World's Columbian Exposition Medal and Woodcarving Pamphlet
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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| $500 | $50 |
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About Auction
LiveFeb 13, 2016 - Feb 14, 2016
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (443)
- Lot Description
Cincinnati Art-Carved Secretary Bookcase by Mary Louise Bentley with World's Columbian Exposition Medal and Woodcarving Pamphlet
American (Cincinnati, Ohio), 19th century. A Cincinnati art-carved secretary bookcase in walnut by Mary Louise Bentley (Ludlow, Kentucky, 1856-1921), the upper section having a projecting cornice ornately carved with fern fronds and wild roses above two glazed doors further embellished with leaves, berries, and flowerheads before two adjustable shelves, over a slant front monogrammed MLB against a ground of stylized floral squares, opening to a desk interior with two rows of pigeonholes, all flanked by two columns of open shelves topped by carved finials, balustrades, and floral arches, the shelves supported by block and ring-turned spindles, with the same stylized squares decorating the blocked sections as found on the slant front. The lower section having a conforming, molded top above paneled sides and a central, two-door cabinet with one shelf, flanked by reeded pilasters and a pair of single-door cabinets with open interiors. The cabinet doors inset with high-relief-carved panels of daisies, oak leaves and acorns, dogwoods, and lilies, possibly representing the four flowering seasons of the year, the whole rising on chamfered stiles and castors and retaining the original engraved brass hardware. The lot also includes the medal won by Bentley at the World's Columbian Exposition, where she exhibited the secretary in 1893 as well as her 1889 publication titled Practical Hints on the Art of Wood-Carving; ht. 78.75, wd. 62.25, dp. 23.25 in.
Bentley studied under Benn Pitman (English, 1822-1910) at the McMicken School of Design, later the Art Academy of Cincinnati, for eight years beginning in 1874. Four years later, she carved a wainscot panel and two areas of molding for the Cincinnati Music Hall organ screen, before exhibiting a standing cabinet at the Cincinnati Industrial Exposition in 1882. It seems possible that the aforementioned standing cabinet is the same one displayed at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, thus the same one offered for sale here. Between 1885 and 1887, she taught woodcarving, pottery, and brass work at Cincinnati Wesleyan College for Young Women, eventually opening a studio in Chicago. In 1889, she self-published her own wood carving manual.Condition
Open shelves of upper section backed with later wood panels. Front right spindle column with a slight separation near upper joint and molding. A small chip to tip of front left finial and a small chip to case above desk lock. Some minor/expected nicks and scuffs around bottom edges of case. Desk and cabinet doors retain interior lock mechanisms.
- Shipping Info
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SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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