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Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly | January 29, 2026

Thu, Jan 29, 2026 10:00AM EST
  2026-01-29 10:00:00 2026-01-29 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly | January 29, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/estate-of-joe-and-betsy-byerly-january-29-2026-20715
A full day of objects from the personal collection of Betsy and Joe Byerly of Greensboro, NC. Founded in 1937 by Joe’s parents, Byerly Antiques became a tradition by focusing on Joe’s passion towards Southern furniture. As a founding member of MESDA in Old Salem, NC, he earned the respect of curators, historians, and collectors who depended on his remarkable expertise. We are honored to bring this collection to the market. Of note are a Swisegood walnut corner cupboard along with five pieces of MESDA documented furniture, Southern furniture, paintings, pottery, and decorative arts objects.
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Lot 12

North Carolina MESDA Documented Federal Walnut Slant Front Desk

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Current Bid
$500

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

attributed to Guilford County, North Carolina, possibly Robert Matthews, early 19th century, poplar secondary, dovetailed construction, interior with serpentine drawers and front, stop fluted document drawers, two candle drawers carved with rosettes, four drawers flanked by fluted quarter columns, molded base with ogee bracket feet with scrolled returns, 43-1/4 x 42-1/2 x 22-1/4 in.

Provenance: By descent in a Guilford County, North Carolina family; Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly, Greensboro, North Carolina

Note: This desk was recorded by MESDA as photo number D-31643. It is closely related to a desk signed and dated by Robert Matthews of Guilford County, 1807. See file NN-1205.

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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.

By descent in a Guilford County, North Carolina family; Estate of Joe and Betsy Byerly, Greensboro, North Carolina

Rebuilding and restorations throughout including desk floor, back panel, and drawer bottoms, later brasses, upper drawer with loss to pulls 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.