Sofa
Attributed to
John Henry Belter
(American, 1804 - 1863)
Date1850-1860
MediumMahogany, cherry, rosewood, yellow-poplar, modern upholstery
DimensionsOverall: 50 7/8 x 68 3/8 x 31in. (129.2 x 173.7 x 78.7cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number59.116
Description(Notes from Donald Fennimore, Winterthur Museum 12-13-96): carved back features volutes with fluted cornucopia emanating from them. Rails are veneered (back and side rails show vertical grain). Front, carved seat rail is solid mahogany.On View
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 TextJohn Henry Belter, the maker of this sofa and matching chairs (MWPAI 59.119 and 59.121), is synonymous with the Rococo Revival style in America. Belter not only fashioned dramatic and comfortable furniture of good quality, he continually sought ways to improve what he was making. Between 1847 and 1860 he obtained four patents from the United States Patent Office.
One patent was for a process that allowed Belter to fabricate curved components by pressing layers of laminated wood in cauls (molds). The ornate frame for the sofa back is made of seven laminated layers of wood with alternating grain. The top and bottom layers are mahogany; less expensive woods were most likely used in between. Extra pieces of wood were applied at the crest to allow for deep carving.
