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Sofa

Decorative Arts and Design

Box sofas were popular at the end of the first quarter of the nineteenth century. This version with marble columns is a luxurious example. Although the textile cover is modern, the underupholstery on the sides and back is original and therefore indicates the severe, rectilinear silhouettes of Neoclassical upholstery schemes. The elaborate, modern bolsters and pillows were suggested by imported European pattern books of the period.
MAKER Unknown
MEDIUM Mahogany, veneer, marble, gilt bronze, modern upholstery
  • Possible Place Made: New York, New York, United States
  • DATES ca. 1830
    DIMENSIONS 36 x 80 x 31 in. (91.4 x 203.2 x 78.7 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 41.1181
    CREDIT LINE Maria L. Emmons Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Sofa, Empire style, mahogany veneer on pine, marble columns. Rectangular frame with back, seat and ends upholstered, curved mahogany skirt, marble column on each end with ormolu (gilt bronze) bands above and below resting on a carved and turned foot having acanthus leaf and reed decoration, upholstered in coral damask having a diamond pattern. Condition: Good, modern upholstery
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Unknown. Sofa, ca. 1830. Mahogany, veneer, marble, gilt bronze, modern upholstery, 36 x 80 x 31 in. (91.4 x 203.2 x 78.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Maria L. Emmons Fund, 41.1181. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.1181_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 41.1181_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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