Artwork Page for Sofa

Details / Information for Sofa

Sofa

c. 1820

America, New York, Empire style, 19th century

Medium
wood with painted and gilded decoration
Measurements
Overall: 85.1 x 195.5 x 63.6 cm (33 1/2 x 76 15/16 x 25 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1971.29
Public Domain
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Location
205 Federal American
Print
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Did You Know?

At first glance you might not notice the animals, but look closely and you will discover the small faces of lions and the outstretched wings of eagles that decorate this sofa's frame. Furniture made in the Empire style was adapted from ancient Grecian forms by Parisian and American cabinet makers influenced by the classical style.

Description

The classically inspired elements of design such as the scrolled arms and the well executed gilt decoration identifies this sofa as an example of American Empire style furniture almost certainly made in New York City.
A sofa, a long seat, features dark gray upholstery on its rectangular seat and backrest, flanked by two cylindrical bolster pillows. An ornate dark brown frame is embellished with intricate gilded leaf patterns and scrollwork along the crest rail and curved arms. Gold borders outline the upholstered sections. At the base, four prominent gilded legs, carved into the shape of animal paws with acanthus leaf motifs above, support the structure.

Sofa

c. 1820

America, New York, Empire style, 19th century

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