The Major Thomas Melville Fine and Rare Chippendale Carved Mahogany Pole Screen, Boston or Salem, Massachusetts, circa 1770

Appears to retain its original American canvaswork panel, worked in wool threads on a linen ground. Retains a rich dark historic surface. Together with a silver cigarette case and a cut glass inkwell inscribed AMP. (3 pieces). Pole broken and reduced in height.

Descended in the family of Major Thomas Melville (1751 – 1832).  Complete line of descent at SOTHEBYS.COM

Base of one foot patched. Has original period needlework. Accompanied with cigarette case and ink well. Pole broken and reduced in height. Base retains a rich, historic, possibly original finish.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A closely related pole screen with Faneuil family history is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (see Richard H. Randall, Jr., American Furniture in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, (Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1965), no. 111, pg. 145, 7).  Thomas Melvill (1751–1832) of Boston, Massachusetts, was a merchant, member of the Sons of Liberty, participant in the Boston Tea Party, and a major in the American Revolution.  Melvill’s obituary notice stated "When the citizens of Boston began to evince a determination to resist the arbitrary, offensive and onerous exactions of the British government, Melvill was conspicuous among the ardent and gallant young men of the capital, for his zeal and intrepidity, during that momentous advent of ... national independence."  In 1830, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. published a poem entitled The Last Leaf, which was inspired in part by Melvill, "the last of the cocked hats." Holmes would later write that Melvill had reminded him of "a withered leaf which has held to its stem through the storms of autumn and winter, and finds itself still clinging to its bough while the new growths of spring are bursting their buds and spreading their foliage all around it."

Provenance:

Major Thomas Melvill (1751 – 1832);
Mary Melvill (1778 – 1858), daughter;
Nancy Melvill D’Wolf (1814 - 1901), daughter;
Mabel Richmond (b. 1856), daughter;
Allan Melvill Pope, (b. 1879), son;
Acquired by the consignor from a relative of Allan Melvill Pope.