Terra Cotta Antique Naturalistic Three-Piece Bistro Set

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Terra Cotta Antique Naturalistic Three-Piece Bistro Set

About the Item

A most unusual and rare 19th century terra cotta table and pair of chairs. The set is the height of naturalistic design, & was bought from the historic auction at Rosedown Plantation in Louisiana in the late 20th century. Thanks to the kindness of Barbara Israel, we have a xerox of an Austrian design catalog of the 1880s showing the three pieces! The set is important not only because of its design but its history of being at a historic plantation. I have included the history below as told to me. Both the lady for whom the original plantation was built for, and the lady who restored the plantation in the 20th century were avid gardeners, one can only imagine them having tea on this set in the garden. The following info was obtained from the museum with the assistance of Suzanne Fischer Curator of Material Culture Louisiana State Museum & Polly Luttrull, Curator Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site. “I do indeed know the garden furniture you are speaking of. It was a set of three pieces--a small table and two chairs, all made of floral-designed terra cotta. The pieces were placed in Rosedown s South Garden during the time of the Underwoods (1956-1994). The Underwoods were the Houston couple who had purchased and restored the property, after the last of the original owners had passed. According to the Underwood records, the set is a French, 3-piece terra cotta group, circa 1850, that had been purchased for the Underwoods in Copenhagen, for display in Rosedown s gardens. The Georgia businessman who purchased Rosedown from the Underwoods in 1994, sold the set at a two-day auction on the grounds, shortly before the State took possession of Rosedown, however, I wasn t able to trace who had purchased the set at the auction. So, though the set is not original to Rosedown, it is an antique set and quite significant in its own right--the Underwoods had remarkable taste in antiques, and the set is quite unique. Hope this answers your question. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am grateful to Suzanne Fischer Curator of Material Culture Louisiana State Museum who did the research with the help of Polly Luttrul.” The set was purchased by an NY antiques dealer from who I bought the set.

Dimensions:
Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Diameter: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 3
Style:
Victorian (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Terracotta
Place of Origin:
Austria
Period:
1880-1889
Date of Manufacture:
1880
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
Seller Location:
Long Island, NY
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU927310554933