Two chairs and an ottoman numbered 453-455 from the same suite resided in one of the bedrooms of the William H Vanderbilt residence on Fifth Avenue, New York. This chair (numbered 452) was previously owned by Gladys Moore Vanderbilt, Countess Szechenyi, at The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island.
She was the granddaughter of William H Vanderbilt and inherited The Breakers on the death of her mother Cornelius Vanderbilt II.
Her daughter, also Countess Szechenyi. had an apartment at the property until her death in 1998.
These Herter-Vanderbilt pieces are among the most desirable of all Gilded Age furnishings.
Offered as part of Bonhams Skinner’s (28/27/21/14.5% buyer’s premium) February 21 Modern Design sale, it was estimated at $8000-12,000 and it hammered for $30,000 (£23,700).
