Sofa

Samuel McIntire

1800–1810 · Mahogany, white pine, birch · The American Wing

A carved eagle, symbol of the new republic, holding a festoon of drapery in its beak ornaments the top rail. The sofa's overall square form, turned arm supports, and crest-rail shape derive from plate 35 of Thomas Sheraton's "The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing-Book" (1793). Along with George Hepplewhite's equally popular pattern book "The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide" (1788), Sheraton's volume was a principal vehicle in disseminating the English Neoclassical style to American cabinetmakers and their patrons.

Artist

Samuel McIntire

Date

1800–1810

Medium

Mahogany, white pine, birch

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1926