Sofa

Duncan Phyfe

1810–20 · Maple · The American Wing

Pieces of sofa-like furniture with scrolled ends, one higher than the other, were called "Grecian couches" in the early nineteenth century, when they were being made. In 1800 the French artist Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) had painted Mme Récamier reclining on a similar couch; the portrait became so famous that such couches are sometimes called "récamiers" after her. The frame of this example, painted and grained to simulate rosewood, is decorated with freehand gilded designs of eagles, foliate scrolls, and cornucopias, imitative of ormolu mounts.

Artist

Duncan Phyfe

Date

1810–20

Medium

Maple

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. Bayard Verplanck, in memory of Dr. James Sykes Rumsey, 1940