The first an ebonized table with serpentine inset rouge marble top, carved legs and skirt (20 x 16.5 x 16.5 in., several small breaks); the second piece is a high back chair with shaped crest rail and symbolically carved splat, stretcher base, called an "official's hat chair" (43 x 21 x 17 in.); the third is an unusual child's chair with carved and pierced back splat and allover paint decoration (30 x 15.5 x 13 in.).; repair to rear leg, break and loss to front carved skirt).

Estate Collection of the late Dora B. Wells of Wilmington, North Carolina

An official's hat chair was created as a seat of power and authority for its user and was made to distinguish the user's position or rank.

$300 - 600