January 26, 2024 Brian Lebel's Old West Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2024
A piece of Cody, Wyoming and Dude ranch history. A side chair by the famed Thomas Molesworth (1890-1977) founder of Shoshone Furniture Co. in Cody made for Larry Larom owner of Valley Ranch. The chair features the Valley "Lazy JD" ranch brand on the chair back. The seat has been expertly and correctly recovered. The chair is 32" to the top of the back. The Valley Ranch was one of the earliest most important dude ranches in the West, welcoming the most celebrated elite from the East.
Ex: Larry Larom Collection to Private Collection
Thomas C. Molesworth (1890–1977) was an American furniture designer who was a significant figure in the creation of a distinctly Western style of furniture and accessories, using hides, horn and natural wood. Molesworth's style drew from the Arts and Crafts Movement and from vernacular design characteristics of western American ranches and farms. He is credited with popularizing the "cowboy furniture" style. To produce his designs, Molesworth operated the Shoshone Furniture Company from 1931 to 1961 in Cody, Wyoming with his wife, LaVerne Johnston Molesworth. (wikipedia)