CARVED MAHOGANY GRECIAN SOFA
In the manner of Duncan Phyfe (1770-1854)
New York, c. 1815
The scrolled crest rail with five inlaid panels of crotch mahogany bordered with brass stringing, the reeded arms with turned bosses continue to a reeded seat rail raised on reeded saber legs with brass paw feet on casters.
H: 32½" W: 84" D: 26"
Condition: Excellent; Modern horsehair upholstery in the original pattern with conservation webbing and materials.
This is an iconic form in New York Classical furniture in the late-Sheraton style with influences of the French Directoire. The form is illustrated in plate 7 from The New York Book of Prices for Manufacturing Cabinet and Chair Work, 1817. It relates to many sofas documented to Duncan Phyfe, c. 1810-1815. Related Grecian sofas are illustrated in Nancy McClelland's Duncan Phyfe and the English Regency 1795-1830 (New York: William R. Scott, Inc., 1939), 166-169, and in the catalog of the exhibition of Phyfe's work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.[1] An other related sofa is in the collection of the New York State Museum in Albany.[2] The brass string inlay is a rare and desirable feature not found in any of the published examples.
S-C-AAA-213151
[1] Peter M. Kenny & Michael K. Brown, Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011), 185.
[2] Illustrated in John L. Scherer, New York Furniture: The Federal Period 1788-1825 (Albany: The University of the State of New York, 1988), 24.
Dealer | Carswell Rush Berlin, Inc. |
Date: | c. 1815 |
Origin | New York |
Artist/Maker | |
Measurements | H: 32½" W: 84" D: 26" |
Inventory | View Dealer's Inventory |
Website | http://www.american-antiques.net |
Price | |
Contact | Carswell R. Berlin, 646-645-0404 or CarswellBerlin@msn.com |