Lot 2442

RARE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY CHERRY CELLARETTE / BOTTLE CASE

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RARE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY CHERRY CELLARETTE / BOTTLE CASE

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $2,000

(0 Bids)

by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
June 27, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
2177 Green Valley Lane
Mt. Crawford, VA, US 22841

RARE LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY CHERRY CELLARETTE / BOTTLE CASE, a fine vernacular form of French influence, featuring sarcophagus-type hinged lid, open interior, fielded panels, beaded stiles, and unusual legs having reeded ankles and bandy-type feet. Poplar secondary wood. Retaining an old surface with mellow color. First quarter 19th century. 28" HOA, 18 1/2" WOA, 14 1/4" DOA.
Catalogue Note: The following is from Sumpter Priddy's 2011 report on the presently offered lot: "This intriguing bottle case highlights the complexities of furniture identification in the lower Mississippi Valley, where the low survival rate for early regional furnishings that were produced in the French taste [has resulted in] relatively scant evidence of and scholarship about local furniture shops in many areas of the inland South. This bottle case is important evidence of the continuation of the French style and cross-culturalization in local cabinetmaking that occurred late in the first quarter of the 19th century - its beveled sarcophagus top, fluted leg stiles, and 'bandy' legs were inspired by French designs, [most notably] Louis XV style furniture. Indeed, sarcophagus tops were especially popular on cellarets and wine coolers, and in this instance, likely alludes to a wine-associated function.
Not surprisingly, furniture with similar French details are found in Louisiana in the early 19th century. A cherry tea table in the collection of the Louisiana State Museum, originally made for and given to the Female Orphan Society in New Orleans circa 1819 by Julien Poydras, shares a similar high stance and shaped feet; the table has one drawer with a heavy beaded edge that relates directly to the beaded corners of the [presently offered] cellaret under discussion. An early 19th-century Louisiana armoire with bandy legs and hoof feet, flat panel doors with inlaid rather than beaded edges shares the same design inspiration. Materials, craftsmen, and furniture designs traveled freely through the vast network of rivers of the inland South in the early 19th century; in 1819 French naturalist francois Andre Michaud noted in his travel account that cherry planks were 'sent from Kentucky to New Orleans where they were also employed in cabinet-making.' This cross fertilization of styles and traditions makes it difficult to assign exact attributions until further scholarship is undertaken."

  • Provenance:

    Ex-Sumpter Priddy III, Inc.

  • Condition:

    Very good overall condition with minor scattered wear. Lock probably replaced. Lid with very slight bow. Hinges, probably original, are reset with strip repair to rear edge of lid and patch to front edge.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000