Neal Auction Important Estates September 2015

20 118. Three Bronze Animalier Figures , incl. lion, inscribed “M. Marx”, h. 6 1/4 in.; tiger, h. 3 1/2 in.; and retriever with pheasant, h. 4 1/4 in. $300/500 119. French Neoclassical Bronze of “Cincinnatus Preparing for War” , early 19th c., after the antique marble discovered in the 1580s in Rome, purchased by Louis XIV in 1685, and deposited in the Louvre before 1800, h. 25 1/2 in. $1200/1800 120. Pair of Louis XV-Style Gilt Bronze Mirrors , cartouche form, reticulated crest, beveled mirror plate, h. 35 in., w. 22 in. $1000/1500 121. Venetian Etched Glass Mirror , 20th c., shield shape with segmented surround, h. 49 1/2 in., w. 36 5/8 in. $400/600 122. Important American Rococo Carved and Laminated Rosewood Sofa , c. 1850-1860, attr. to John Henry Belter, New York, in the pattern known as “Cornucopia”, tall crest carved in high relief, acanthus carved uprights, exuberant serpentine seat rail with massive floral carvings, carved cabriole legs, casters, h. 50 1/2 in., w. 87 in., d. 31 in. $40000/60000 Provenance: The Service Collection, Estate of Grant A. Oakes, Warren, OH. Ill.: Dubrow, Richard. American Furniture of the 19th c. Atglen , PA: Schiffer, 1983, p. 75. Note: The sofa offered here is among a remarkable small group of related examples noted for their sculptural aspect and virtuosity, including examples now conserved by the Museum of the City of New York (acc. 38.53.1); the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond (acc. 54.15.1-2); the Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin (acc. M1987.16); The High Museum of Art, Atlanta (acc. 1981.1000.61); the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (acc. 1999/396) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (acc. W-22.1983). These examples share similar arm, seatrail and leg carvings. The “Cornucopia pattern” as manifested here and in the Museum of the City of New York example, is currently rare among known collections. The three strapwork and cabochon cartouches on the crestrail of this and the MCNY sofa make them unique among examples listed above, incorporating a forward-looking Renaissance Revival detail into an exuberant Rococo form. Ref.: Davidson, Gail, et.al . Rococo: The Continuing Curve, 1730-2008 . New York: Smithsonian, Cooper Hewitt. 2008. pp. 204-205, fig. 15.