Étagère
Attributed to
Elijah Galusha
(American, 1804 - 1871)
Date1850-1855
MediumRosewood, bird's-eye maple, curly maple, yellow-poplar, easter white pine, black walnut, mahogany, cucumbertree (Magnolia acuminata), marble, glass, metal
DimensionsOverall: 72 3/4 x 44 1/2 x 22 5/8in. (184.8 x 113 x 57.5cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number60.34
On View
Not on viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextAlthough Elijah Galusha utilized many of the decorative elements common to the Rococo Revival style, his use of distant floral ornamentation differentiates his work. Whereas most other cabinetmakers favored a combination of fruit, flowers, and other naturalistic motifs, Galusha relied on horticulturally accurate floral ornamentation as the central element in his designs. Roses are prevalent on Galusha’s work, but they are also used in combination with honeysuckle and other garden flowers of the period. A close examination of these motifs shows that they were executed with great attention to detail—discrete flowers are recognizable. A source for Galusha’s representations has not been determined.