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Our Premier Autumn Auction | Session II | October 22, 2025

Wed, Oct 22, 2025 10:00AM EDT
  2025-10-22 10:00:00 2025-10-22 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Our Premier Autumn Auction | Session II | October 22, 2025 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/our-premier-autumn-auction-session-ii-october-22-2025-20662
Day two features important porcelain and pottery, pilgrim century furniture and early decorative arts. The Tonneson Collection, New Hampshire, includes Delft, slipware, pilgrim century furniture and more; the Collection of Dr. Richard and Carol Lamb, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania features Delft, and Staffordshire; an Important Atlanta Private Collection offers over thirty eight lots of Staffordshire including two rare Whieldon Type Dovecotes; the Sally and Paul Hawkins Collection of Southern pottery, includes an outstanding signed and dated Dave Drake Jar.
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Lot 551

Rare Clark Family Pilgrim Century Carved Joined Chest, Attributed to John Thurston

Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000
Starting Bid
$7,500

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

Dedham or Medfield, Massachusetts, mid 17th century, oak throughout, hinged lid with interior till, carved and paneled front, underside of lid with illegible incised inscription, 26-1/2 x 44 x 18-1/4 in.

Provenance: Deacon George Clark[e] (d. 1690), to his son; Thomas Clark (1638-1719), to his son; George Clark (1673-1725), to his son; Thomas Clark (1715-1774), to his son; Elisha Clark (1755-1840), to his son; Nehemiah Clark (1784-1820), to his son; Merritt Clark (1815-1895), to his daughter; Mary Elizabeth Clark (1845-1930), to her son; George Clarke Bryant (1873-1947), to his son; Norman Bryant (1905-1970); all of whom lived in the Milford/New Haven area of Connecticut; Sold Christie's, New York, January 26, 1991, lot 306; Tonnesen Collection, New Hampshire

Literature: A nearly identical chest is discussed in The Wrought Covenant: Source Material for the Study of Craftsmen and Community in Southeastern New England 1620-1700, by Robert Blair St. George ; see also New England Begins, vol. 3, pg. 321-322, no. 480; This group is analyzed at length in "Style and Structure in the Joinery of Dedham and Medfield, Massachusetts, 1635-1685", Robert Blair St. George, in Winterthur Portfolio 13.

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Deacon George Clark[e] (d. 1690), to his son; Thomas Clark (1638-1719), to his son; George Clark (1673-1725), to his son; Thomas Clark (1715-1774), to his son; Elisha Clark (1755-1840), to his son; Nehemiah Clark (1784-1820), to his son; Merritt Clark (1815-1895), to his daughter; Mary Elizabeth Clark (1845-1930), to her son; George Clarke Bryant (1873-1947), to his son; Norman Bryant (1905-1970); all of whom lived in the Milford/New Haven area of Connecticut; Sold Christie's, New York, January 26, 1991, lot 306; Tonnesen Collection, New Hampshire

very good condition and integrity overall, two inch strip patch at hinges, underside of top with two later braces to repair central crack, lock replaced and catch missing, foot bottoms with very minor water and pest damage, other bumps and wear to lid, and other typical surface flaws 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.