Brass Inlaid Mahogany Grecian Sofa



 

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

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