Sofa
- Object Name:
- Sofa
- Object ID:
- 1974.015
- Creator:
- Metcalf, Benjamin (1796-1840) -- Cabinetmaker
- Place of Origin:
- Woodstock, VT
- Date:
- circa 1825
- Description:
- Sofa. Attributed to Benjamin Metcalf (1796-1840), Woodstock, VT; c. 1825. Federal style. Mahogany and birch woods; pegged construction. Upholstered on back, seat, sides, and front (silk and cotton, vertically striped in green, blue, red, and ecru -- not original), with off-white silk trim held with small tacks. Top of sofa back curves down toward arms, which are inlaid with figured birch and string inlay. Inlaid birch is round at top and straight on bottom. Arms scroll, and have two convex channels with beading in between and on the edges. Behind arm scrolls are vertical wood blocks, with vertical rope carvings Supports for the arm rests are turnings, that extend to form legs and feet. Top of turning is a fluted vase, below which is a square, then tapering legs. There are 8 legs, 4 in front and 4 in the rear; no stretchers. Front legs have string inlay on 3 sides -- alternating light and dark -- above inverted trapezoidal feet. Rear legs flare outward, are square in cross section, and taper to inverted trapezoidal feet, with brass caps. Underneath the sofa is a fabric covering.
- Material:
- Textile
Wood
Mahogany
Birch
Silk
Cotton - Dimensions:
- H-37 W-84 D-22 inches
- Provenance:
- Sofa was acquired by the donor from his father, Robert W. Upton, who originally purchased it in the western part of New Hampshire. Robert was told, at the time of purchase by a reliable source, the sofa had been used in an early inn or hotel in Charlestown, New Hampshire. Purchased by NHHS from Richard Upton in 1974 for $750. The other $250 of value was a donation by the donor.
- Credit Line:
- New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase, and gift of Richard F. Upton
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