Famous Furnishings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The landscape of American furniture design has a rich history dating back to the Colonial period.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art is honoring that tradition and spirit of American design in its exhibit called, “American Decorative Arts.”  We are simply amazed by their extensive collection, which can be viewed on the Museum’s website if one cannot make it to New York.  Their fantastic exhibit is broken into various periods that reflect Baroque, Rococo, and Gothic Revival influences in America.   

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, between 1730 and 1790, American furniture design was heavily influenced by Baroque and Rococo styles of Europe. Both emphasize sweeping curves and exuberance.   Speaking of curves, Boston was actually the first Colonial city to implement the “S” curve in chair backs.  The “S” allowed the seated person to enjoy a shape that conformed comfortably to their spine, which experts believe reflected a growing American concern for comfort during this time. The most popular wood for furniture making then was black walnut, which was transported from Virginia and Pennsylvania to New England and the rest of the Mid Atlantic.  When it came to comfort, the “S” shape was not enough to satiate the public’s desire for relaxation and leisure.  Cabinetmakers started designing specialized furniture forms, like tables for card playing and entertaining guests with tea.  Many of these tables were bold, resting on dramatic claw feet.

The Rococo styles of the 18^th century were also known for their break from classical order and symmetry.  Designers sought to emphasize natural forms and lines with curves, carvings, engravings, and by incorporating natural materials into furnishings.  The Rococo style really took hold in seaport cities, where designers were inspired by engraved designs in pattern books and other imported objects from Europe.  By the 1780s, however, the exuberant styles of this period were already giving way to more classical forms that had come before. 

“American Revival Styles” is another featured period at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, covering the years between 1840 and 1846, during which time Romanticism motivated furniture designers to return to simpler ways of the past.  Styles adapted from ancient Greece and Rome became popular, especially for suburban houses.  For drawing rooms or parlors, furnishings based on elegant French models were in high demand.  Gothic Revival-style furniture, however, a branch of the Revival period, was a must for home libraries and even dining rooms.  

We are excited to be participating in such a richly steeped American tradition.  Come to any of our store locations to see if you can spot hints of the aforementioned traditions in our furniture selections.  We look forward to helping you add style to your home furnishings.