Brunk Auctions
Live Auction

Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026

Tue, Jun 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
  2026-06-23 10:00:00 2026-06-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/collection-of-elbert-h-parsons-jr-huntsville-alabama-june-23-2026-22678
Original surface and vibrant color define Bert Parsons’ well-documented collection, assembled over decades. Highlights include a Stirewalt miniature painted blanket chest, an 1823 dated Prussian blue blanket chest made in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC, with family history, an early Virginia documented painted apothecary cabinet, and a New England Fancy red-painted Windsor bench, as well as metalwork, pottery, Staffordshire, paintings, and six objects from the landmark 2004 “American Fancy” exhibition.
Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
Lot 26

Rare and Unusual New Hampshire Fancy Painted and Stenciled Sewing Table, Sumpter Priddy Provenance

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500
Starting Bid
$1,300

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

circa 1830, maple and pine, dark brown grain painted surface, top with stenciled grapevine motif, green painted shutter panels to sides and back, two drawers, underside inscribed with large "B", 30-1/2 x 18-1/2 x 17-1/4 in.

Provenance: Descended in the family of Nathaniel and Abigail (Chesley) Swasey, thence to Ambrose Swasey (1846-1937), son; Sumpter Priddy, Alexandria, Virginia, February 1995 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $5,400); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

Literature: Published in Sumpter Priddy, American Fancy: Exuberance in the Arts 1790-1840 (Chipstone Foundation and the Milwaukee Art Museum, 2004), p. 113, figs. 187 and 188.

Note: For a discussion on Ambrose Swasey, see Dictionary of American Biography, Supplement 1 & 2, 1944, pp. 642-43 (accompanied by a copy of reference).

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay

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.

Descended in the family of Nathaniel and Abigail (Chesley) Swasey, thence to Ambrose Swasey (1846-1937), son; Sumpter Priddy, Alexandria, Virginia, February 1995 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $5,400); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

good integrity and in a fine state of preservation, original brasses, paint with some distress, crackle, and minor loss mainly to yellow trim; top with shrinkage split, one drawer previously with dividers, holes to feet underside from lathe or missing casters 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.