Italian Carved Walnut Corner Chair, 19TH C.

Lot description

Italian walnut corner chair, late 19th c., in the manner of Valentino Besarel (Italian, 1829-1902), figural carved crest, over pierced vasiform splat, outward curving arms supported by figures, upholstered seat, on legs joined by X-form cross stretcher, splat with seam/restoration, approx 35.75"h, 28.75"w, 25.5"d Provenance: From the estate of Dorothy Jean McPhaul, whose small East Austin antique shop, Johnnie’s Antiques, has survived for generations despite rapid city expansion. McPhaul, a true lover of all things antique and a retired educator with a 40-year tenure at the LaGrange Public School system, personally collected African American memorabilia, jewelry, glassware, pottery, amongst other rare and fine antiques. Established by McPhaul’s grandfather, Simon Sidle, in 1918, Johnnie’s Antiques is among the last vintage properties on East 6th Street, and notable as one of the first black-owned businesses in Austin. After assuming proprietorship in 1999, Dorothy followed in the family tradition as a fixture of the Texas antique sale circuit.