Herter Brothers (1864-1906), An American Aesthetic mantel, circa 1880

Herter Brothers (1864-1906)
An American Aesthetic mantel, circa 1880
Commissioned for a first floor bedroom of Happy House, the Darius Ogden Mills Residence, Millbrae, California
Upper panel twice branded: HERTER BRO'S, inventory mark inscribed in pencil on the reverse N 158 Mills
The carved, parcel-gilt, inlaid, and ebonized Cherrywood fireplace surround with Anglo-Japanese-style floral marquetry inlay centering two later-added locking cabinet doors revealing three shelves, with conforming upper console featuring architectural and carved floral elements, openwork, gilt accents, and cut velvet backing, with opposed shelves with spindle gallery, centering a beveled mirror, all surmounted by a gallery
Overall: 94" H x 78.25" W x 16.75" D
Literature:
"The California Commissions of Herter Brothers, Interior Designers, New York City", Edna Kimbro,
Senior Thesis, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1976
Herter Brothers
"Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age", Katherine Howe, Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen and Catherine Hoover Voorsanger, Harry Abrams publisher, 1994, pp. 148-149.

Other Notes: Herter Brothers furniture stands as the epitome of exquisite craftsmanship and opulent design, reflecting the grandeur and sophistication of the Gilded Age in America. Founded by Gustave and Christian Herter, the firm was synonymous with luxury and elegance, catering to the elite clientele of the late 19th century.

One notable patron of Herter Brothers was Darius Ogden Mills, a prominent figure of his time. Born into privilege in 1825, Mills ventured westward following the gold rush of the late 1840s, ultimately settling in California. Through astute investments in railroads, mining, and other ventures, Mills amassed substantial wealth, enabling him to establish his estate, Millbrae, near San Francisco. It was on this grand estate that the iconic 'Happy House' was erected, a marvel of Italianate Second Empire architecture, designed by Diaper & Seltzer and completed in 1871.

The interior of Happy House was decorated by the Herter Brothers, who crafted not just furniture but entire interior schemes. Their initial endeavor at Happy House embraced the Renaissance Revival style, evoking an aura of classical splendor. Subsequently, around 1880, they undertook a redesign, aligning with the prevailing aesthetic tastes of the time.

Among the furnishings supplied by Herter Brothers for Happy House were two bedroom suites in the Anglo-Japanese style, one of which was for Mrs. Mills' bedroom that is likely to have incorporated the present lot.

The intricate craftsmanship and exquisite detailing of Herter's Anglo-Japanese furniture find resonance in pieces commissioned for other notable figures of the era, such as the bedroom of William H. Vanderbilt circa 1882 residence at 640 Fifth Avenue, New York, which shares many details with Mill's house. As noted in Edna Kimbro's thesis, the fireplace and overmantel in both the Vanderbilt and Mills bedrooms are almost identical (the Happy House mantel is only documented by a poor photo from an old newspaper article). She goes on to state 'the whole may yet survive.'

The bedstead executed for Arabella Worsham Huntington, now housed in The St. Louis Museum of Art, (accession no. 183: 1977.1) incorporates the lush and dense floral marquetry, typical of Herter's Anglo-Japanese-style production of the mid 1870s and early 1880s which is also found in this mantel.
Condition Report: Overall good condition with added doors, scattered scuffs, scratches, nicks, and indentations commensurate with age. With a 1.75" chipped loss to lower left of surround. Scattered rubbed wear to lacquer at edges, with more concentrated scratches and wear to top of surround. Lower 1" margin of cut velvet with heavy rubbed wear. The cabinet doors are later-added. Includes key. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.