CINCINNATI, OH.- On September 14 and 15,
Hindman will offer an array of furniture, paintings and decorative arts that reflect numerous critical figures and moments in American history. Highlighting this fall’s American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts auction will be two Andrew Clemens sand bottles, for which Hindman holds the world auction record. A selection of portraiture and paintings will be offered, featuring a portrait of the actor and abolitionist Ira Aldridge, a trailblazing figure in the theater who used his platform to promote the abolitionist cause in America.
Portrait of African American Shakespearean Actor and Abolitionist Ira Aldridge
As the first African American Shakespearean actor to gain international recognition, Aldridge was a pioneering figure in the theater and used his platform to advance the abolitionist cause in America. Born and educated in New York City, Aldridge gained early acting experience through the African Grove Theatre, the first African American theater company in the United States. Aldridge went on to achieve both critical and commercial success in the English provinces and throughout continental Europe and Russia. He performed over 40 major roles and received international accolades over the course of his four-decade career.
This portrait (lot 1030) depicts Aldridge as Mungo in The Padlock, a farcical libretto loosely modeled after the short story El celoso extremeño by Miguel de Cervantes. The two-act performance premiered in 1768 at London’s Drury Lane Theatre, where a white Englishman in blackface performed the role of Mungo, a black servant from the West Indies. Aldridge transformed the role of Mungo, once a racist caricature, into a more dignified portrayal, meant to convey the character’s humanity. Aldridge was an outspoken abolitionist, and often capitalized on his platform to directly address his audience on the evils of slavery and other societal inequities.
Magnificent Maritime Items Featuring the Collection of Legendary Dealer Norm Flayderman
A selection of maritime paintings and objects from the Collection of legendary dealer Norm Flayderman is one of the most anticipated offerings in the auction. Flayderman was known for being a renowned antique arms dealer, prolific author and collector. These works reflect his passion for finding items rich with decorative history, as well as his impressive knowledge of nautical history.
Gangway boards identified to 19th century ships, paintings of sailing vessels, nautical instruments and thematically decorated American and English pottery will be presented. Highlighting this selection will be a pair of eagle, shield and seal of Cincinnati carved walnut ship's gangway boards from 1892 (lot 1167; estimate: $10,000-15,000), which are likely from the USS Cincinnati (C-7), a protected cruiser for the United States Navy. A USS Tallapoosa eagle, shield and cannon carved, brass-mounted walnut gangway board is likely a Civil War artifact (lot 1168; estimate: $4,000-6,000). A painting attributed to Charles Henry Seaforth (lot 1183; estimate: $8,000- $12,000) is a striking painting from the collection. A cast brass and steel anchor form mantel clock garniture (lot 1175; estimate: $3,000- $5,000) is another highlight.
Additional standout maritime paintings include Solon Francis Montecello Badger’s City of Georgetown (lot 1265; estimate: $4,000 - $8,000), and other China trade paintings.
Prominent Sculptor Henry Merwin Shrady’s Washington at Valley Forge
Items that reflect important early historical moments in the founding of the nation will be offered, and Henry Merwin Shrady’s Washington at Valley Forge (lot 1055; estimate $40,000-60,000) is among the most significant. Henry Merwin Shrady was a mostly self-taught artist who came to prominence during the American sculptural renaissance of the Beaux-Arts period. Renowned for his early animal bronzes, he quickly became known as a monumental sculptor. In 1906, Shrady won a competition that led to his equestrian statue of George Washington at Valley Forge being placed near the entrance of the iconic Williamsburg Bridge in Brooklyn, New York. This particular example, cast by the Roman Bronze Works, was once a part of the artist’s personal collection and is being offered by one of his great grandchildren.
Fine Furniture, Decorative Arts & Silver
As usual, William and Mary, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal and painted country furniture is expected to draw attention. An 18th century William and Mary figured maple drop leaf dining table is an example of fine craftmanship (lot 1004; estimate: $3,000 - $5,000). Other designs expected to see competitive bidding are a Classical Style tiger maple slant front desk of Minnesota origin (lot 1133; estimate: $6,000 - $9,000) and a rare Chippendale walnut tall case clock (lot 1045; estimate: $3,000 - $5,000) attributed to Jacob Frye.
A rare North or South Carolina “Colored Republicing Club” stoneware cooler (lot 1361; estimate: $5,000 - $7,000) has a powerful history. After the Civil War, white Southerners aligned themselves with the Democratic party, while African Americans chose their liberators, the Republicans. Eventually in the years following the war in both the North and South, “Republican Clubs,” or “Union Leagues” were formed, and with suffrage, African Americans began to take on larger roles in local, state, and national politics. The cooler offered here is symbolic of a period in Southern politics when African Americans became increasingly disenfranchised from the suffrage granted them by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution in 1868.
A fine group of silver will also be offered. A coin silver presentation pitcher from the Kentucky State Agricultural Society is one notable item (lot 1253; estimate: $10,000 - $20,000). The society was chartered by the legislature in 1856, and awarded cash premiums and silver cups, etc. for livestock, farm production, agricultural implements and machinery, as such "to arrouse a feeling of State pride" and to consistently showcase and improve the state's most productive industry - agriculture.
