The enduring wish of one of Charleston’s great preservationists became a reality September 2011, when Mrs. Emily Farrow’s beloved Ashem Farm, a fifty-five acre tract in West Ashley, was transferred from the Lowcountry Open Land Trust to the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission for a public park. At this time, the objects designated by Mrs. Farrow for local museums were transferred to those organizations, and all other belongings in her personal collection were bequeathed to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust and Historic Charleston Foundation. It was Mrs. Farrow’s intention that the remaining belongings should be sold to support the preservation and conservation mission of both organizations, which she supported during her lifetime.
On November 10 and 11, 2012, an outstanding grouping of objects from the Emily Farrow estate will be auctioned at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina. The items in this auction were collected and admired by Mrs. Farrow and her husband, Ashby for use at both of their historic properties. Objects include many notable examples of sterling silver, fine art by renowned Charleston Renaissance artists, and many more rare and significant objects. These items can be viewed in Brunk Auction’s printed or online catalogue: www.brunkauctions.com.
Many of the objects in this sale descended in the Ravenel and Roebling families. Items from the Ravenel family descended from her parents Charles Jervey Ravenel (1884-1964) and Emily Legare Simmons Ravenel (1886-1971). Mrs. Farrow’s husband was the grandson of Cornelia Witsell Farrow Roebling (1869-1942), whose first husband was Ashby Stark Farrow (1863-1896) and second husband was Washington Augustus Roebling (1837-1926), best known for his work on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Whether featured in the catalogue or exclusively on the website, participants can bid on items from the Farrow estate on-line, via absentee registration, or in the gallery during this two-day event. For more information, please see the Brunk Auctions website at www.brunkauctions.com.
As bequeathed by Emily Farrow, proceeds from this sale will benefit the Lowcountry Open Land Trust and Historic Charleston Foundation.
