Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum of Art (1923)

Illustrated: Lockwood, Luke Vincent. Colonial Furniture in America, vol. II, fig. 660

Provenance: R.T. Haines Halsey, Francis P. Garvan, Bernard & S. Dean Levy

This important crest rail is composed of three large
carved panels. The two outside panels are carved with drapery festoons secured
by pairs of bowknots. The center panel shows radiating bellflower streamers
which surround an oval reserve enclosing a cluster of arrows. This center crest
has been found on silver owned by the Cameron family.  James Cameron fought
as a Royalist during the Revolution and settled in New York State in
1790.

The front legs are finely turned and reeded and end in brass
casters. The legs at each end of the sofa continue up past the seat rail and
form the slender reeded urn-shaped arm supports. The rear legs are square in
form and also end with brass casters. The reeded arms follow the shape of the
sides and end with applied rosettes on each side at the rounded terminal. The
proportions of this small scale sofa contrast dramatically with the profound
dimension of the tablets, evidencing the hand and design of a
master.

This sofa is illustrated in Luke Vincent Lockwood’s Colonial Furniture in
America, Vol. II, Fig. 660, and was exhibited at the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in 1923. It was formerly in the New York collections of R.T.
Haines Halsey, Francis P. Garvan, and Bernard & S. Dean Levy.
Primary wood: Mahogany
Secondary wood: ash, poplar

Related Images:  There are three known sofas of this form having similar
distinctive carving.  See images below.

Height: 37 1/2 in. Width: 75 in. Depth: 27 in.