Description:

Kennedy John

John F. Kennedy Palm Beach Winter White House wall sconces, 2 pairs

 

Two pairs of Classical Revival 3-light electric wall sconces removed from John F. Kennedy's Winter White House, his family's summer home in West Palm Beach, Florida. In good to very good condition, with expected finish and structural wear including peeling, cracking, and loss. Each sconce measures approximately 22.5" h. x 16" w. x 7" d. Also includes two detached finials and a pair of metal wall brackets. Comes with original auction tags.

 

The sconces are made of white metal and horsehair plaster. The base of each sconce is a hollow half-basin decorated with molded plaster acanthus leaf and foliate bas relief, and fitted with an ambient electric light bulb. Three 12" long white-painted metal candle covers terminating in electrical sockets are found above. Originally, tassel form finials were attached to the bottom of each sconce basin, however one has since been repaired, two are detached but included, and one is missing. The top rim of one sconce basin is damaged and crumbling.

 

These lighting fixtures were deinstalled from the Kennedy Family's Palm Beach estate. The 2-acre beach front property in southern Florida was originally purchased by Kennedy patriarch Joseph P. Kennedy from the Philadelphia Wanamakers for $120,000 in 1933. The Kennedys visited the home frequently over the years, and it was the backdrop of many significant events in JFK's presidential career. He wrote large parts of his book Profiles of Courage at the home, as well as his inaugural address. JFK selected his cabinet members and hosted meetings there when not playing golf or getting burgers from a local pitstop. Kennedy stayed there just days before his November 1963 assassination.

 

The Italianate mansion was originally designed by Addison Mizner in 1923, and renovated by Maurice Fatio in 1935. The Kennedys sold the house in 1995, and it has changed hands several times since, last selling in 2015 for $31 million. Today, the house features a 15,000 square foot interior, swimming pool, tennis court, and 200 ft-long beach front access. It maintains many of its original and picturesque features, such as its terracotta roof, second-story balconies, and stone terraces.

 

These sconces were offered at Leslie Hindman Auctions in January 2016 in a sale of the Kennedy Family's Palm Beach estate contents. Other Kennedy era items offered at the sale included Venetian, Italian, French, and Baroque furniture, garden accessories, and of course, lighting fixtures.

 

Provenance: Leslie Hindman Auctions, January 23, 2016 Sale

 

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