Hanging Shelf
Artist
Charles Parker Company
(American, active Meriden, Connecticut, 1832 - 1957)
Date1885
MediumBrass, silver and other metallic plates, iron, other metals, wood, modern fabric
DimensionsOverall: 33 1/4 x 26 1/4 x 7 5/8 in., (84.5 x 66.7 x 19.4 cm,)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase in part by exchange with funds from: Mrs. F. F. Brandt, Mrs. C. Warner Clarke, Miss Eugenia Curtis, Mrs. Raymond J. Lenhardt, Sarah T. Norris Estate, Dr. David R. Rosendale and Mrs. B. A. Sackett
Object number2001.22
DescriptionHanging shelf of mixed metals. Center section, with hinged gate-like doors, is flanked by two open shelves. One large open shelf on top. Ornamentation includes brass railings, pierced-metal filt birds, gilt sunburst (quarter round) and hammered metal background.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 TextHanging shelves produced by the Charles Parker Company had little practical application; the shelves are objects of art in themselves. The construction of this shelf is simple. It is a basic wooden form covered with a show material of either metal or cloth, outlined with brass framing, and accented with metal bibelots. Color plays a crucial aesthetic role. Lush fabric, shades of gold and silver, and black highlights contribute to the visual richness. Japanesque radial sun arches and brackets featuring swallows relieve the angularity of the form.
The gate-motif element on the front of the shelf is made of intentionally oxidized silver-plated iron. Because firms such as Parker were set up to create a range of plated and patinated surfaces, utilizing silver plate was cost effective. It was also representative of a larger, late-nineteenth century trend of utilizing plated silver oxidized to shades of warm gray to black for a heightened artistic effect.
