Hindman to Offer Property from Historic Charleston, South Carolina Sword Gate House and the Georgia Estate of Sally Gatling Tomlinson
Atlanta – Hindman Auctions announced the Atlanta Collections auction to take place on October 5 & 6, 2020 which will offer collections from the historic Sword Gate House of Charleston, South Carolina and The Estate of Sally Gatling Tomlinson of Atlanta and Sea Island, Georgia.
Property from Historic Sword Gate House, Charleston, South Carolina
Day 1, October 5th
Federal Period furniture and decorative objects that once filled the colorful rooms of Historic Sword Gate House, located at 32 Legare Street in Historic Downtown Charleston, will kick off Hindman’s two-day Atlanta Collections online auction on October 5th.
“Much of the material offered is representative of the home’s Federal-style architecture, but is not original to the home,” said Corbin Horn, Hindman’s Senior Specialist and Director of the Furniture and Decorative Arts Department. “The other portions of the collection are decorative items that, like many of Sword Gate’s residents, lived for a time in an exceptional home on one of Charleston’s most historical and beautiful streets.”
Built in 1803 for the French Huguenot, Solomon Legare, Historic Sword Gate House has a backstory steeped in mystery and over the years has been the home of famous residents, such as Abraham Lincoln’s daughter and Theodore Roosevelt’s cousin. The 17,000 square foot home sits on nearly an acre of lush gardens that boast a 180-year-old magnolia tree and has been an all-girls private school, an inn and a museum.
Sword Gate House received its name in 1849 when its second owner, British Consul George Hopley, purchased a second set of iron “sword motif” gates that The City of Charleston had originally commissioned for the police station.
At the start of the 21st century, the home was purchased, extensively renovated, and furnished to closely match the original period of the home’s architecture by Michael and Betsy Dingman. During the summer of 2020, Sword Gate changed ownership again, making it the neighborhood’s most expensive real estate transaction at the time; much of the Dingman’s antique furnishings and décor remained with the home and will now be offered at auction through Hindman.
The Estate of Sally Gatling Tomlinson of Atlanta and Sea Island Georgia
Day 2, October 6th
The collection offered on Day Two of Hindman’s Atlanta Collections online auction on October 6th is a mix of highly decorative and cheerful furniture, artwork, and objects reminiscent of English and French country-style rooms.
Collectors will discover Tiffany silver, Chinese Export porcelain, George III and Louis XVI furniture alongside tableware, decorative paintings, and garden statuary.
“Mrs. Tomlinson’s homes in Atlanta and Sea Island were filled with furnishings and artwork that matched her taste, as well as reflected the beauty, magic, and character of each locale” said Kristin Vaughn, Director of Hindman’s Atlanta regional office and saleroom.
Fashion and interior design were Mrs. Tomlinson’s passion. She was voted one of Atlanta’s best-dressed women in the 1970’s, and worked with well-known interior designer, Reid McWhirter, for several years before starting her own design business.
Deeply involved in her community, Sally started a children’s theatre program, which ultimately merged with and became the Children’s Theatre of the Alliance Theatre. She was a member of the Director’s Circle of the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Lifetime Director of the Alliance Theatre Board. Sally also chaired many fundraising events and served on the Boards of multiple organizations, including: The Atlanta Junior League, The Atlanta Arts Alliance, The Atlanta Humane Society, The Atlanta Ballet, The Forward Arts Foundation and The Shepherd Center.
Both auctions will be conducted online and the sale catalogues will be posted at the beginning of September at www.HindmanAuctions.com.
The preview for both auctions will run simultaneously in the Atlanta gallery located at 668 Miami Circle NE and will be open to the public on Monday, September 21st. In-person viewing is by appointment only and runs through October 4th (closed on Sundays).
A virtual preview event and discussion of sale highlights will be led by Hindman’s Director of Furniture and Decorative Arts, Corbin Horn on September 23rd at 12pm ET. Contact the Atlanta office to request the webinar link by calling 404.800.0192 or by emailing atlanta@hindmanauctions.com.