MERIDIAN, Miss. – A monumental 19th century bonnet-top etagere made by Thomas Brooks, 9 feet 4 inches tall and identical to two other examples that each sold at auction for more than $100,000, plus a magnificent, heavily carved mahogany Chippendale-style 9-tube grandfather clock, 8 feet tall, made circa 1890 with Elliott works of London, will be sold Saturday, April 18.

They are just two of the many antiques and furnishings that will come up for bid in a multi-estate sale being held at 2011 35th Avenue in Meridian, Miss., by Stevens Auction Company, based in Aberdeen. Featured will be quality items from three prominent Southern estates – an antebellum mansion in Murfreesboro, Tenn., called “Castlewood,” and two important estates from Meridian.

“The quality of selected antique estate pieces in this auction is unmatched,” said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company. “The furniture alone – much of it by prolific and renowned 19th century makers such as John Henry Belter, J. &. J.W. Meeks, Thomas Brooks, Alexander Roux, Karpen, R. J. Horner and Mitchell & Rammelsberg, would be enough for an auction right there.”

But there is more – much more – to include great early Old Paris porcelains, a collection of fine brilliant cut glassware, original works of art, antique lamps, hand-made Persian rugs, old clocks, china, and hundreds of other fine antique home furnishings. The property itself – at the address given in Meridian – is also for sale. A real estate representative will be on-site April 17 and 18.

A stunning J. & J.W. Meeks three-piece furniture suite, in the Stanton Hall pattern, will be sold as three lots: a rosewood rococo laminated parlor sofa, 64 inches wide; a matched pair of rococo laminated side chairs; and a laminated rococo parlor arm chair. A Karpen suite will also be split up into separate lots: a solid mahogany sofa with full figures on arms; and two matching chairs.

A rare rosewood laminated Recamier (or fainting couch) attributed to New York furniture maker John H. Belter, in the Rosalie with Grapes pattern, circa 1855, is of unusual form, with a 9-inch curved end. It’s 38 inches tall by 70 inches wide. Also sold will be mahogany Empire opposing recamiers (two), unattributed but lovely, with pink upholstery and hairy paw feet front and back.

Additional noteworthy furniture lots will feature a heavily carved rococo rosewood loveseat with pink upholstery, attributed to Alexander Roux, circa 1860; a fully original cherry primitive sugar chest, 34 ½ inches tall, made circa 1825; an early pine primitive Southern hunt board, 34 inches tall; and a circa-1850 mahogany Empire full tester plantation bed, queen size and 104 inches tall.

Decorative accessories will be many and varied. They include a papier mache Victorian thread box (or tea poy) with hand-painted Venetian canal scenes, 31 ½ inches tall, made circa 1840; a matching pair of bronze and iron blackamoors, each one 70 inches tall; an antique Persian Tabriz rug, 10 feet by 15 feet 2 inches; a matched pair of Old Paris vases and an Old Paris mantel clock.

Returning to furniture, star lots will include a period Empire mint julep cabinet, circa 1840, with a drawer and old black and gold marble; a mahogany Empire china cabinet with column front and claw feet, 62 ½ inches tall; a magnificent mahogany English breakfront with individual pane glass doors, circa 1800, 8 feet tall; and a set of eight Irish Chippendale dining chairs, circa 1870.

For those unable to attend in person, internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com (for most but not all items). An open house preview will be held on Friday, April 17, from 10-6, and on auction day, April 18, from 8-9 a.m. Start time on auction day is 9 a.m. The auction will be held under large tents, rain or shine, with comfortable seating and light refreshments served.

Photos of many of the items may be viewed on the website www.stevensauction.com. To request a full color brochure, call (662) 369-2200; or e-mail a request to stevensauction@bellsouth.net.

Terms of payment are all major credit cards or pre-approved business or personal checks (with proper ID), or wire transfer. A 15 percent buyer’s premium will be applied to all purchases, with an extra 2 percent processing fee for credit cards. A 7% sales tax will also be charged, except for bidders with a valid state resale number. Phone bids are welcome, with advanced arrangements.

Stevens Auction Company is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (662) 369-2200; or, you can e-mail them at stevensauction@bellsouth.net. To learn more about Stevens Auction Company and the upcoming April 18th auction, visit www.stevensauction.com. Updates are posted often.

30 -