Cabinet
1 of 9
Object Label
Herter Brothers was the most prestigious decorating firm and furniture maker in the United States of its time. This cabinet was made for George B. Sloan, the richest man in Oswego, New York. Its form closely follows that of an example produced by the Lamb cabinetmaking firm in Manchester, England, of which Herter Brothers must have been aware. The large painted panels representing Spring and Autumn, and the smaller ones of Taurus and Leo, were probably executed by Christian Herter, a principal of the firm.
Caption
Herter Brothers (American, 1865–1905). Cabinet, ca. 1872. Ebonized cherry, other woods, glass, brass, pigment, 42 3/8 x 66 x 16 3/4in. (107.6 x 167.6 x 42.5cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 76.63a-f. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Maker
Title
Cabinet
Date
ca. 1872
Geography
Place made: New York, New York, United States
Medium
Ebonized cherry, other woods, glass, brass, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
42 3/8 x 66 x 16 3/4in. (107.6 x 167.6 x 42.5cm)
Signatures
no signature
Inscriptions
no inscriptions
Markings
Stamped on back: "HERTER BRO'S."; inscribed in pencil on back in script: "N67 Slone Esq. Oswego"
Credit Line
H. Randolph Lever Fund
Accession Number
76.63a-f
Frequent Art Questions
Why is this so expensive to make?
This cabinet is entirely handmade and includes not only unique painted panels, but extremely time-consuming inlay wood decoration to create the elaborate floral panels on the front doors. This cabinet is one-of-kind. The very rich Herter clients wanted furniture that was custom-made for them alone.What a detailed piece of furniture!
This cabinet is one-of-a-kind and entirely handmade. The details you see come from wood inlay and hand painted panels. After the Civil War there was a shift in design and ornately carved furniture gave way to more delicate inlays and fine imported woods. Herter Brothers was one of the leading interior design and cabinetmaking firms in New York in the later nineteenth century, creating furnishings and interiors for wealthy clients such as J. P. Morgan, and William H. Vanderbilt.Tell me more.
This cabinet is entirely handmade and includes not only unique painted panels, but extremely time-consuming inlay wood decoration to create the elaborate floral panels on the front doors. This cabinet is one-of-kind. The very rich Herter clients wanted furniture that was custom-made for them alone.
Have information?
Have information about an artwork? Contact us at