Sofa, 1840-1860

01

Artifact Overview

Gothic Revival furniture with this level of sophistication is rarely seen. The crest and seat rails consist of rows of quatrefoil, or four-part leaf forms, derived from medieval stained glass windows. This large scale piece was intended to make a fashion statement in a well-appointed Victorian interior.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Sofa

Date Made

1840-1860

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

80.64.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Walnut (Wood)
Maple (Wood)

Color

Brown
Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 33 in
Width: 75 in
Depth: 27 in

Inscriptions

Tag nailed to back: "This seat was made in the late 1790's and was mostly hand-carved by a Mr. Bristol who lived near Albany, New York and was given to a neice as a wedding gift. Was used in the original Van Rennselear family for many years. It came to me in the year 1914 as a gift. I am giving it to my neice Mrs. Esther Baston Bresee.
Sofa, 1840-1860