Collecting and decorating with Rhode Island Antiques
Around the time of the American Revolution, Rhode Island was home to some of the most skilled furniture craftsmen in the colonies. The Browns (Brown University) and other wealthy Rhode Island families, commissioned these cabinet shops to produce fashionable furniture, "of the latest design", for their magnificent Newport and Providence homes. Now, more than two hundred years later, some of these fine antiques are still in the hands of local descendants. When these Rhode Island furniture masterpieces come on the market and sold at auction, collectors and museums fearlessly compete for ownership - - this often results in world record prices!
The Nicholas Brown tea table
having scalloped top and ball & claw talons
Newport, RI
Attributed Maker: John Goddard SOLD $8,416,000
Sotheby's - January 2005, New York
The Sarah Slocum block-and-shell carved
chest of drawers
Newport, 1792
Maker: John Townsend (1732-1809) SOLD $4,732,500
Christie's - June 1998, New York
World auction record for the maker
Rhode Island for antique lovers
No need to be a millionaire!
The Nicholas Brown roundabout chair
Attributed Maker: John Goddard
Newport, Rhode Island SOLD $1,584,000
Sotheby's - January 2005, New York
The Nicholas Brown desk and bookcase
Newport, Rhode Island, 1760-1770 SOLD $12,100,000
Christies - June 1989, New York
World auction record for American furniture
