Rose Hill, an iconic property nestled in the 'Between the Rivers Historic District' of Rome, Georgia, and arguably one of the finest historic houses in North Georgia, is aptly named for the timeless beauty of the gardens that adorn its grounds. Now, contents of this exquisite estate are coming up for auction at New Orleans Auction Galleries on 24 and 25 July.
The home was used by General Sherman’s troops during the Civil War after Union forces occupied Rome as a base to plan their infamous March to the Sea. The present owner, a native of Rome and only the third to own this 112-year-old beauty, acquired the property in March of 2011 and undertook a multi-year restoration of the house and gardens. The property was 're-christened' as Rose Hill in honour of the first house built on the property.
The footprint and room layout of the historic portion of the home is as it was built in 1909 and the colours used throughout are believed to be a similar palette. The home was meticulously furnished with an extensive collection of primarily 18th- and 19th-century American and British furniture, paintings and decorative arts, as well as an impressive collection of china, stemware and flatware.
Among the highlights from the estate is this painting Daifilo Pours Granida a Drink of Water, c. 1646-59, by Dutch Golden Age painter Jan Mijtens. Mijtens was a member of the Hague's prominent Guild of St. Luke and known mostly for his portraits, as well as historic and genre scenes. This painting depicts Daifilo and Granida, characters in a pastoral Dutch play Granida (1605) by Pieter Hooft.
Once in the collection of Lord Cornwallis, one of the leading British generals during the Revolutionary War, this William and Mary black-lacquered cabinet-on-stand dates to the late 18th century and was designed in the chinoiserie taste.
An elegant addition to any dinner party is this extensive assembled partial St. Louis 'Thistle' pattern crystal service. The nearly one hundred French glasses in different styles, including wine goblets and highball tumblers, are all decorated with rich raised gilt scrollwork.
Combining French and Chinese styles, this gilt-bronze and porcelain centrepiece dates to the fourth quarter of the 19th century. The celadon bowl is decorated with carefully detailed dragons among clouds, and is mounted with French gilt-bronze leaf-moulded handles, a vine-moulded rim, a gilt-bronze fluted base supported on leaf and rocaille-moulded scrolled bronze feet.
From a century earlier is this French School oil painting titled Sappho Singing Her Verses. Sappho is one of the most famous poets of ancient Greece and is depicted characteristically with her lyre as men watch in admiration.
This large pair of late Victorian silverplate candelabra are a statement piece for any dining room. From c. 1900, each boasts a banded cluster-column standard above a cavetto-domed square base, decorated with ram's masques and laurel swags and surmounted by a Corinthian capital decorated en suite.