Folk Art, Antiques, Estate Auction
Lot 46:
Significant Alexander H. Stephens (1812-1883) Personal Chair with documentation. Also noted in Neat Pieces publication. This historically important mid-19th century open-arm chair made in Taliaferro Co. Georgia for Alexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883). Stephens served as a congressman from Georgia in US House of Representatives both before and after the Civil War(1849-1859) and (1873-1882). During the War he was elected to the US Senate but was refused his seat because of his Confederate service. In 1882 he was Elected Governor of Georgia and died in office on March 4, 1883.Few Americans were so politically influential for such a long period. Stephens was once ardently anti-secession but adopted the cause and wrote the most significant book on the Constitution of secession. Other than his political service in Washington D.C., Richmond VA, and Atlanta, he lived his life at Liberty Hall in Crawfordville, Taliaferro County Georgia. This chair (38×19.5×18.25 inches) is poplar, hickory and other mixed woods, the crest rail formed in double-layered method above a spindle back entering the plank seat. The arms terminate in a modified knuckle shape and the ring-turned legs tenon into, but not through the seat. They are connected by four plain stretchers, and the foot ends in a form that repeats the finial shape seen on a chair (Neat Pieces: Atlanta , 1983) Attributed to Harry Stephens, trusted enslaved artisan and friend of Alexander H. Stephens. Pictured in Neat Pieces, noting it as from a set owned by Stephens at Liberty Hall. There is surface wear to the chair and light abrasions consistent with age, minor cracks and separations, with later nails at back. Provenance – Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Levon Register , Franklin Springs Georgia, Brunk Auctions Nov. 13, 2010
Condition: VG – Original surface.
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