This is a federal, pre-classical sofa with inlaid Hepplewhite tapered legs. Instead of carving that is typical of a later classical form, this sofa relies on satinwood inlays for embellishment. The arm supports are very fine and the satinwood inlay across the crest of the sofa is especially effective.
While Sack, probably the most prominent dealer in New York, shows an image of this sofa attributing it to the Seymour workshop in Boston, latest scholarship points to New York and to the workshop of Slover and Taylor. This is based on the frame and the style of construction. Note that with almost all of our pieces we have images of the frame to show credibility and inclusion in our collection. Often at auctions, you will see pieces of upholstery ripped from the corners etc to ascertain credibility. Regardless of origin, this is one of the most beautiful of the early federal sofas and clearly the work of a master.
Length: 80 in. Height: 35 in. Width: 30 in.
Revised Feb 14, 2026, 10:56 AM (SW/mb – updated online)