Henry Clay Rosedown Armoire

View Similar Items

John Henry Belter Rosewood Armoire

1956 Henry P. Glass for Fleetwood of Zeeland Michigan Armoire Cabinet Chest

Armoire

Antique French Rococo Armoire ~ Louis XV 2 Door Armoire ~ Mirrored Door Armoire

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 7

Henry Clay Rosedown Armoire

$350,000List Price

About the Item

An extremely rare and monumental Gothic Revival Rosewood "winged" armoire known as the Henry Clay Rosedown Plantation Armoire. This magnificent armoire was originally made by Crawford Riddell of Philadelphia for the White House (more specifically for the bedroom now known as the Lincoln Bedroom), and commissioned by the supporters of Henry Clay during his bid for the Presidency in 1844. Though he fully expected to win the highly contested race, Clay lost the election to Democratic candidate James K. Polk. Indeed, Clay's prospects for the top seat were so strong, that Riddell, having received what was likely the most important commission of the 19th century, had gathered the finest cabinetmakers in the Northeast to assist him in the manufacture of the set, including this armoire, to ensure it would be ready for Clay's seemingly imminent inauguration.

After the votes were tallied, however, and Clay had lost his bid for the presidency, this prized bedroom suite was sold by Clay's supporters to Daniel Turnbull, the most affluent cotton planter in the South and reportedly one of the wealthiest men in America. Turnbull's renowned showpiece home, Rosedown Plantation, was certainly befitting a set of furniture originally intended for the White House. He purchased the set and in true Turnbull fashion, built a wing onto this mansion in St. Francisville, Louisiana, especially to house his glorious bedroom suite. The new wing was so monumental, Turnbull added another wing to the opposite side of the house in order to preserve its classic symmetry! The entire set, including this glorious armoire, was moved into Turnbull's specially built bedroom in 1845 where it remained until 2000 when the State of Louisiana purchased the Rosedown Plantation. We were fortunate and delighted to acquire this magnificent armoire shortly after the purchase, and, it was not long before this treasure was obtained by one of our clients who also found the armoire irresistable. By a twist of fate, we have had the rare privilege to re-acquire this wonderful piece of American history and we are honored to offer it once more.

The Rosedown Plantation was sold in 2000 to the State of Louisiana for approximately $5.5 million. The matching bed to this armoire was acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art for $450,000. The small chest of drawers is now on display at the Minneapolis Museum of Fine Arts. The cheval mirror was sold at auction and the two small washstands were kept by the former owner of Rosedown Plantation.

Crafted of absolutely the finest Brazilian rosewood (a species that is now extinct), the armoire is flanked by two gothic columns that open on the sides to hold clothes, hence the reference to a "winged" wardrobe. The center doors open to reveal more storage and an interior chest of drawers. Each section retains its original blue paint on the interior. Even the drawers are beautifully finished in Brazilian rosewood on the interior. The armoire is in overall mint condition. In terms of quality, rarity, provenance, and historical significance, it is arguably the finest and most important armoire to come on the market in many, many years.

Dimensions:
Height: 112 in (284.48 cm)Width: 91.25 in (231.78 cm)Depth: 32.75 in (83.19 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Rosewood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1844
Condition:
Seller Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 28-18621stDibs: U1201118911240

More From This Seller

View All

John Henry Belter Rosewood Armoire

By John Henry Belter

Located in New Orleans, LA

One of the rarest furniture forms created by John Henry Belter, this armoire is a testament to this legendary cabinet maker's talent. Recognized as a Pioneer in design and craftsmans...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Rococo Revival Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Rosewood

John Henry Belter Rosewood Armoire

$69,500

French Provincial Double Door Armoire

Located in New Orleans, LA

This majestic French walnut armoire is a stunning example of the Provincial style. Standing nearly nine feet high, this rare armoire featuring splendid rocaille carvings above its do...

Category

Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

French Provincial Double Door Armoire

$48,500

19th Century French Provincial Armoire

Located in New Orleans, LA

This fine French provincial double door armoire is beautifully crafted of fine walnut. Adorned with elegant, Rococo-inspired molding and featuring exceptional well-preserved, origina...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Rococo Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Provincial Armoire

$28,500

Henry Dasson Egyptian Granite And Bronze Urns

By Henry Dasson

Located in New Orleans, LA

Henry Dasson used grey granite from the famed Aswan quarries in Egypt to craft this pair of rare and important urns. Aswan was the location from which ancient Egyptian builders quarried the rare granite used...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Urns

Materials

Granite, Bronze

Henry Dasson Egyptian Granite And Bronze Urns

$54,500 / set

Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley

By Elkington & Co.

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional sterling silver inkwell was presented to Henry Morton Stanley, the famed Welsh-American journalist, politician and explorer, on the occasion of his marriage to Dorothy Tennant. The inkwell was a royal gift from the Prince of Wales, the future King George V, and the Princess of Wales. The charming inkstand was designed by Walter & John Barnard for the royal silversmiths Elkington & Co., and no detail was spared in its creation. Each inkwell bears Stanley’s monogram, while the crest of the Prince and Princess adorns the delicately pierced tray. The inscription reads, “To H. M. Stanley on the occasion of his marriage / From the Prince & Princess of Wales / July 12th, 1880.” Born in Wales, Henry Morton Stanley’s lifetime of adventure began at the young age of 15 when he crossed the Atlantic aboard a merchant vessel and jumped ship in New Orleans. The young orphan was taken in by a local merchant named Henry Morton Stanley, whose name he took as his own. Stanley began a career as a journalist and was commissioned by the New York Herald to go to Central Africa in search of the famous missionary David Livingstone...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Inkwells

Materials

Silver

Elkington & Co. Silver Inkwell Of Henry Morton Stanley

$48,500

19th Century Regency Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard

Located in New Orleans, LA

This monumental English mahogany sideboard captures the luxury of the Regency era in grand style. Crafted in the neoclassical taste, the sideboard evokes the stately forms of ancient...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Sideboards

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Regency Mahogany Pedestal Sideboard

$28,500

Vintage 1950s American Modern Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Metal

1956 Henry P. Glass for Fleetwood of Zeeland Michigan Armoire Cabinet Chest

$8,950

Armoire

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Armoire Measures: Height 78.75 in. (200 cm) Width 41.34 in. (105 cm) Depth 23.63 in. (60 cm) Gold leaf, lacque, brass, mirror Estimated production time:13-14 weeks. There is a sense...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Armoire

$34,724 / item

Antique French Rococo Armoire ~ Louis XV 2 Door Armoire ~ Mirrored Door Armoire

Located in Portland, OR

Magnificent Antique French Louis XV Rococo Armoire. This cabinet is in remarkable condition considering its considerable age. Imported from Europe featuring exquisite carved details ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mirror, Birdseye Maple, Oak, Rosewood

Antique French Rococo Armoire ~ Louis XV 2 Door Armoire ~ Mirrored Door Armoire

$6,995

Biedermeier Armoire

Located in Pompano Beach, FL

Biedermeier Armoire/Cabinet made of walnut and root wood with 2 large doors, ebonized colums and gilt fittings.

Category

Antique 19th Century Cabinets

Biedermeier Armoire

$8,000 Sale Price

64% Off

Parisian Armoire

By Koket

Located in Manassas, VA

Fall under the spell of the City of Love with the Parisian Armoire. Reminiscent of the magical doors that line the charming streets of Paris, the larg...

Category