Card Table

Duncan Phyfe

1815–25 · Rosewood, satinwood, painted and gilded gesso, brass · The American Wing

The hinged top of this table appears to rest weightlessly upon the heads of griffins—mythical beasts with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion. In Western culture, griffins often symbolized courage and boldness, or served as guardian spirits. The feathered crests and wings, expanded ribcage, and pronounced musculature of the hindquarters and paws have been expertly carved to evoke a sense of naturalism in their hybrid forms.

Artist

Duncan Phyfe

Date

1815–25

Medium

Rosewood, satinwood, painted and gilded gesso, brass

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Partial and Promised Gift of James and Laura Freeman, 2004