Charlton Hall is honored to be offering the estate of Francis D. “Skeeter” McNairy, a prominent Savannah, Georgia antiques dealer, historic preservationist, patron of the arts and friend to many. A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, McNairy moved to Savannah from California in 1972 and for over thirty years operated his shop “Francis McNairy Antiques” at 411 Abercorn Street. He spent many years restoring his historic home, the Mary E. Demere House located at 128 East Taylor Street on Savannah’s Calhoun Square. The circa 1860 home was the residence of Revolutionary war soldier Major Raymond Demere’s eldest daughter. It has been featured in several books including, Savannah Style: Mystery and Manners by Susan Sully and Classic Savannah: History, Houses, and Gardens by William R. Mitchell Jr. McNairy’s carefully cultivated collection of American Classical pieces once showcased within the house will be offered at auction on December 3-5th.

Skeeter held a deep appreciation for history and recognized the value that provenance added to his collection. Among the many fine offerings  in this auction include a New York Classical mahogany secretary bookcase attributed to Duncan Phyfe (lot 1022) which descended through the family of Colonel Charles Hart Olmstead (1837-1926)and a pair of Cornelius & Co astral lamps (lot 1117) once owned by Judge Mitchell King (1783-1862) of Flat Rock, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina. Skeeter kept meticulous records and his personal research files overflowed with clippings from auction catalogues, journals and magazines. Charlton Hall Decorative Arts specialist Patricia Shandor comments, “From going through his paperwork I get the feeling that every single item in his collection was special to him. It’s clear that he had a zeal for understanding the historical context of the objects he owned.”

McNairy proudly shared his research and items from his collection with institutions. Throughout the years he also donated many important pieces to museums such as the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville, Tennessee, the Andrew Low House in Savannah and the Francis D. McNairy House in Greensboro, NC. Some items in his collection were also included in major exhibitions. The Phyfe secretary bookcase (lot 1022) was loaned to the Telfair Museum of Art for their 1995 exhibition entitled, "Classical Savannah: Fine and Decorative Arts 1800-1840." His painting by John James Trumbull Arnold (lot 1012) was loaned to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia for their 1995 exhibition: A Proper Likeness: Plain Style Portraits in Georgia Collections.

The Arnold is only one of several fine examples of portraits featured in the McNairy collection. Other examples include a Nicolas de Largilliere school “Portrait de Jeune Femme en Robe Blanche” (lot 1010) and a pair of portraits by George Chinnery (lot 1011). Other highlights from the McNairy collection include a French Empire ormolu allegorical figural group lyre mantel clock (lot 328), an historically important B&O railroad coin silver presentation urn (lot 1061), an impressive enameled glass mosque lamp, attributed to Philippe-Joseph Brocard (lot 813), and countless fine English and European  18th and early 19th century porcelain tablewares, vases and urns.

As the McNairy auction approaches Charlton Hall’s staff members have bittersweet feelings. Ronald D Long, President remarks, “Skeeter will be missed by many in the antique community and his good friends at Charlton Hall. We are greatly saddened to retire his client account #214 which was one of our earliest numbers. Over the years Skeeter had referred spectacular estates and consignments to our firm. We will miss his visits and phone calls. We are honored to be offering his personal collection at auction.”

Aside from the McNairy estate the sale will also feature exceptional American furniture from Southern private collections including a Charleston tea table circa 1760 (lot 1166) that descended through the family of Richard I. Manning (1789-1836), and a Baltimore Classical sofa attributed to the workshop of William Camp (lot 1082). Many fine examples of porcelain will also anchor the sale including an English ice pail (lot 1151).

The sale which boasts over 1400 lots will take place over three days from December 3-5. It kicks off Friday afternoon with 200 lots of fine English and American sporting guns and firearms including a spectacular cased pair of James Purdey & Sons 12-bore sidelock ejector side-by-side sporting guns (lot 6) and very fine custom engraved First Generation Colt Single Action Army revolver (lot 170A). Saturday and Sunday’s sale will be highlighted by the McNairy collection, a fine private collection of jewelry and other important collections.

Limited quantities of the catalogue are available upon request. Please contact us at 803-779-5678; visit us on the web at www.CharltonHallAuctions.com.