- More
Historic Chair Attributed to the Robert E. Lee Family, Given by Mary Custis Lee to Salena Gray, Her Devoted Slave....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
$7,719 or more
View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
Description
Historic Chair Attributed to the Robert E. Lee Family, Given by Mary Custis Lee to Salena Gray, Her Devoted Slave. Provenance suggests that Mrs. Lee gave this chair as well as other items, to her devoted slave Salena Gray. These pieces remained in the Gray family until one of Salena's granddaughters presented it to Mrs. John A. Fowle of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. Fowle had taken an interest in the slave children of Arlington and actually took at least two to be educated in the North. One of Salena Gray's granddaughters gave Mrs. Fowle the chair along with a silver service. The chair is accompanied by a photocopy of a letter dated April 12, 1912 from the granddaughter in which she writes, in part: "...Mama says when Miss Mary Lee, Gen Lee's daughter left Ravensworth Va. Another old home of the Lee's which they still own, Miss Mary gave Grandmother Gray some of her personal things and the chair I sent you was one the things given her, so we can only say it is one of the Lee chairs...". The chair is accompanied by scores of pages of documentation and genealogical material which will facilitate further research into this historic chair. When Mrs. Fowle returned the silver to Miss Mary Lee, a newspaper article dated 1913 covered the event. Included were pictures of the silver posed on what appears to be the chair currently offered. A photocopy of the article is included in the research material.The chair itself is a Hitchcock-type side chair, circa 1840, measuring 34.5" tall, and approximately 19" at its widest point. It is hand painted and the top and mid rails are decorated with gilt bronze and muted gold floral stencil. Gold accents appear on the stretchers, legs and border around the wicker seat. A rather unique diamond shape adorns the front stretcher. The wicker has likely been replaced at some point in the chair's history. There's a crack on the seat above the left front leg, but otherwise the chair is in excellent condition. An historic chair lending itself well to more research.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% on the first $100,000 (minimum $14), plus 20% of any amount between $100,000 and $1,000,000, plus 12% of any amount over $1,000,000 per lot.
This item cannot be shipped using standard methods. Please contact us for more information. Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)US Coins
Ends on 02/25/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/25/2021
Photography
Ends on 02/25/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/26/2021
Historical
Ends on 02/27/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/27/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 02/28/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/28/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/03/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/01/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/25/2021
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/05/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/19/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/26/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/30/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
Illustration Art
Opens about 04/02/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
The department director has the heart of a true and highly knowledgeable collector with the business acumen of someone who has been not only successful but has decades of an impeccable track recordView More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search