Ron Roads’ auction has been in operation for 50 years and was originally started by his father, Vic Rhoads. I was contacted by Ron regarding an upcoming sale that they are having which will feature a rather extroardinary bedroom suite attributed to R.J. Horner.

Due to my proximity to their location, I was able to see the suite in person and they permitted me to take photographs, which I will share below.  The link to Horner is a metal tag which was located in one of the drawers during it’s lifetime and stays with the set today.  There is a chance that the tag could have been bought and added to the set during it’s history, and I leave that open to possibility, but based on what I know from Ron, I don’t think that is the case.  I think this is the real deal.

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A dealer friend of mine, Alan Brown, became the new owner of the monumental Oriel Dining Set last year that sold at auction and that I profiled on the Rare Victorian antique furniture blog.

It is currently being offered for sale and while I last visited Alan, I decided to take some photos of the incredible carving that was executed on this set.  You can view the photos I took below or at my Flickr set.

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This is a combination that I never imagined that I would see – a combination kneehole desk and sofa with integrated drawers.  It has the simple lines that are typical of the transition from Victorian to the early turn of the 20th century, but true to Horner form, it sports a set of paw feet.  The label isn’t captured very well in the images but the Horner label design can be seen and the seller states that it even includes the date – 1908.

If I didn’t have a stairway that prevents it’s ascension to my office on the top floor, I would be a serious bidder.  Bidding starts at $1,999 – more information at the listing.

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Up for auction is this well-carved throne or X-chair with figural lions on the armrests. The back of the chair is especially well carved with either a man-of-the-mountain or Zeus face prominently displayed. The two handles on the chair back are also carved lion figures with open mouths and fangs.

Bidding starts at $200 and expected range is $400 to $600.  More at the listing.

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This table being sold on September 27th by Fontaine’s is being attributed to R.J. Horner with a selling range of $6,000 to $8,000.  It is Mahogany with 4 winged griffins in the base and is heavily gadrooned.

I would float the theory that this table is not actually Horner and could instead have been made by Robert Mitchell & Co.  If you remember this confirmed Mitchell table from a few posts back, let me show you a griffin from each of these two pieces, compared:

The wings are very different but I suggest that it is merely a design variation. Overall, the rest of the body has similar proportions and carvings.

I know of someone that is trying to publish a book on Robert Mitchell and who has seen hundreds of Mitchell pieces.  I’ll float my theory their way and get the feedback posted here.

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