241565

More photos available on request Rare three piece solid quartered oak bedroom suite signed by Gustave Herter (1830-1892) for the Oakwood estate of Henry Probasco in Cincinnati, OH. The suite is comprised of a larger than full size (56.5" x 79" between the rails) bed, and two full dressers with original mirrors. The bed is richly decorated with raised burled front panels, applied moldings, finials, buttons, and fancy incised carvings. Intricate applied carvings have a grape, leaf, and fleur de lis motif. Similar decorations are incorporated in the design of the footboard and side rails. The bolts that connect the side rails to the headboard and footboard have been replaced. The tops of the two mirrors are similar with carved buttons on top of the arched crest and corresponding buttons that drop down and are reflected in the mirrors. Full octagonal columns flank the sides of the mirror. One chest has a cabinet on each side of the mirror with a small drawer above and below a cabinet with a beautifully carved door. The cabinet on the left has an interior small drawer and the one on the right has a middle shelf (see photo). Both chests have three regular drawers with a secret drawer on the bottom. The drawers fronts are carved with matching motifs to the bed. The top drawers have dividers and the secondary wood of the drawers is all quartered oak - a great sign of the quality and care that went into the construction. They have original fancy brass pulls. Some were missing and we had them recast. Notice the inlay in the tops of the dressers! This is made of rosewood as are the carved key escutcheons on the drawers. Rosewood was the superior wood of the period and when Henry Probisco asked Herter to design a suite out of oak for his "Oakwood" mansion he probably felt inspired to incorporate some of this lovely wood into the pieces. The back of one chest has two "G. Herter" stamps while the other one has one (see photos). Gustave Herter designed the interiors of the Oakwood in 1858. From page 227 of "Herter Brothers, Furniture and Interiors of the Gilded Age" we found this entry "Gustave appears to have supplied furniture for the house as well as designs for the walls and woodwork. A more prolonged relationship between the Herters and Probasco is suggested by an auction of Probasco's estate in 1899, which includes several items made and/or designed by Herter Brothers and dated as late as 1868". More information about the house can be seen at this link Henry Probasco House Some of the furniture from Oakwood was inherited by Mrs. John J. Rowe who was a Probasco. She sold many pieces of furniture with her home on Carnargo Club Drive in Indian Hill in 1975. The furnishings remained in the home of the buyers until they sold them to us. We have a notorized "Statement of Authenticity" that we received from the seller which we will provide to the buyer of this suite. The photo of the young boy came with it (see photo). "Henry Probasco Jr Aged 4 1/2 yrs for Aunt Margie" is written on the back. Gustave Herter is considered the finest designer of Renaissance Revival Victorian furniture. This is a historically important suite in great condition made and designed by the best cabinet maker of the period! Circa: 1860 Dimensions bed: 76.5"H x 85"L (56.5W x 79"L between the rails) Dimensions chest with boxes: 90"H x 57"W x 24.5"D Dimensions chest: 90"H x 55.5"W x 24.5"D Finish: Very good original finish with a fine old patina. There is a chance that the suite was refinished many years ago. It definitely has an old surface with obvious age. We had some horizontal moldings replaced. One of the dressers is slightly darker than the other - especially the sides. Most likely this variation in tone was caused by more/less sun exposure. Price: $36,500.00 for the three piece suite