The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 23, 2023

Sofa

c. 1820

America, New York, Empire style, 19th century

Wood with painted and gilded decoration

Overall: 85.1 x 195.5 x 63.6 cm (33 1/2 x 76 15/16 x 25 1/16 in.)

Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund 1971.29

Location

205 Federal American

Fun Fact

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.

Provenance
(Peter Hill, Washington, D.C.).
Citations
The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 201 archive.org
Exhibition history

Year in Review: 1971. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (December 28, 1971-February 6, 1972).

Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1971.29