The Philadelphia Museum of Art recently agreed to purchase a mahogany dressing table that has been on loan to the Museum for 36 years. Made in Philadelphia in the late 1760s or early 1770s, the table is the mate to the museum’s monumental high chest, which was donated in 1957 by Amy Howe Steel Greenough. … Continue reading Dressing Table Completes Pair of Colonial Furniture for Philadelphia Museum
Tag: Chippendale
Brewing Up Art in San Antonio
I didn’t quite know what to expect from the San Antonio Museum of Art, but if the charm of the city was any indication I may be again surprised. The museum sits in an industrial area removed from the downtown tourist district. It is connected via the River Walk, however and a leisurely stroll could … Continue reading Brewing Up Art in San Antonio
Chippendale Chairs Bring More than $3K Each
It's nice to see American furniture selling well. A pair of elegant mahogany Chippendale side chairs with shell carved back, pierced splats slip seats all set on cabriole legs with ball and claw feet, Massachusetts, circa 1760 were among the hundreds of items sold at Nadeau’s Auction Gallery’s annual American Antiques auction, held March 27th. … Continue reading Chippendale Chairs Bring More than $3K Each
Historic Home and Antiques to be Sold on-site in Litchfield, Conn. June 5th
The circa 1830 Connecticut Greek Revival-style home known locally as the Historic Trowbridge-Thoms House belonging to longtime antiques dealer Thomas McBride, plus the adjacent barn that has served as an antiques shop for over 45 years, will be sold in an on-site auction slated for Saturday, June 5. The property will cross the block at … Continue reading Historic Home and Antiques to be Sold on-site in Litchfield, Conn. June 5th
Book References for Furniture at Freemans
I had some success finding book references for two items in this weekend’s auction of American furniture at Freemans in Philadelphia. The first items is the fourth lot, a pair of Chippendale carved mahogany side chairs. I mentioned them in yesterday’s post as well. There are similar chairs in American chairs: Queen Anne and Chippendale, by … Continue reading Book References for Furniture at Freemans
Class notes from “Rethinking Period Rooms”, a series of lectures at BMA — 2. The Evolution of Chairs
The most interesting thing in the study of objects is that not only the styles inevitably change, but also the notions of what that particular object means to people have changed in a dramatic way. The rarity of fabrics in the 17th century made its presentation and preservation (such as linen press or kas) the … Continue reading Class notes from “Rethinking Period Rooms”, a series of lectures at BMA — 2. The Evolution of Chairs
A Paw Footed Egyptian Chair
Walking through the Egyptian Galleries at the Brooklyn Museum, past the stone sculptures and mumified cats, I was struck by the paw feet on this Egyptian chair. Not only is it remarkable that a wooden chair survived this long ago (made as early as 1400 B.C.), but, a fan of American furniture, I was swept … Continue reading A Paw Footed Egyptian Chair
Urban Art & Antiques 