Rare, probably custom chess table by Gustav Stickley, c.1901 This us a modification of the early Gus bungalow table, #404, in that the leather-covered top lifts up to reveal a storage area underneath which us compartmentalized for a board and the white and black chessmen The finish on the base is a true ebonized black one, meaning almost opaque, in pristine condition The base wood of the top is chestnut, and the leather appears to be original, although it is more luke bookbinding leather than what Gustav would use later in his production We have searched all over this piece and can find no mark, although every construction detail is consistent with an early Stickley piece and a well-known expert on Gustav’s furniture examined it recently and concurred with our attribution It is a choice piece in outstanding condition 28 1/2"h x 36" x 24" $8500

Stair baluster by Louis Sullivan for the Guaranty Building, Buffalo, c.1894 There are very few architectural elements from thus building that come to the market any more What little was removed has mostly found its way to museums, and so it was with great happiness that I bought not one but two of these beautiful balusters In very good condition, they are missing only the tiniest piece at the bottom, lost, no doubt, when they were removed.  All of the pattern us intact, and they are truly a rich and wonderful example of Sullivan’s genius at creating intricate ornamentation from simple motifs adapted from nature Copper plated cast iron, they each measure 27 1/2"h x low $4800 each, or $8000 for the pair.