American & Southern | September 23, 2026
Wed, Sep 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Lot 104
Important Pair Thomas Willing Federal Armchairs, Attributed to Henry Connelly
Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000
Sold for
$18,000
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1804, part of a set of 24 made by Henry Connelly (1770-1826) for Mayor Thomas Willing (1731-1821) of Philadelphia in 1804, rich dark brown color, each retaining probably original caning, mahogany frames with reeded and foliate carvings, slip seats with blue silk upholstery, 33-3/4 x 21 x 21-1/4 in., seat heights 20 in.
Provenance: Thomas Willing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, New York, NY; Sotheby's New York, NY, "The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, Vol. II", October 28-29, 2004, lot 293; Sotheby's New York, NY, "Important Americana", January 18, 2018, lot 865, $17,500; The Delany Collection of American Furniture and Decorative Arts
This pair of chairs are part of a set of 24 armchairs and side chairs made by Henry Connelly (1770-1826) for Mayor Thomas Willing (1731-1821) of Philadelphia in 1804. Other armchairs from the set include one in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art illustrated in James Biddle, American Art from American Collections, (1963), p. 15, six others advertised in The Magazine Antiques (October 1960): 293, another was sold at Christie's, New York, NY, "The Collection of Mrs. Bertram D. Coleman", January 16, 1998, sale 8842, lot 265 and a pair sold at Sotheby's, New York, NY, "Important Americana", January 22, 2016, sale 9456, lot 1562. The distinctive turned and tapering reeded legs with bulbous knees and spade feet are also known on a sideboard made by Henry Connelly for Henry Hollingsworth in 1806 (see Marian Carson, "Sheraton's Influence in Philadelphia: The Parallel Works of Henry Connelly and Ephraim Haines," in Philadelphia Furniture and Its Makers, 1975, p. 85). Nearly identical ebony chairs are part of the famous set for Stephen Girard by Ephraim Haines (1775-1837). The surviving bill of sale states that the legs were turned by Barney Schumo and were carved by John Morris. Given the direct similarities it is probable that these men also worked on this set of chairs. For additional information on Henry Connelly and Ephraim Haines see Page Talbot's entries in Philadelphia: Three Centuries of Art (1976), p., 211-2, no. 173a and 173b.
Available payment options
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
Thomas Willing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, New York, NY; Sotheby's New York, NY, "The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords, Vol. II", October 28-29, 2004, lot 293; Sotheby's New York, NY, "Important Americana", January 18, 2018, lot 865, $17,500; The Delany Collection of American Furniture and Decorative Arts
per Sotheby's 2018 catalog "Overall fine condition. With later slip seats to protect the cane upholstery"additionally we note excellent condition overall, typical light surface wear Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
