For although pinkneys pictorial renderings are at times perhaps almost a. The manneys collection is also the subject of the furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival, written by mr. John henry belter was one of the preeminent american cabinetmakers of the19th century and much has been written about his furniture. Antique furniture, american rococo revival, john henry belter side chairs ca. John henry belter 18041863 was an american cabinetmaker active in new york city. Rosewood is very dense and brittle, and so rosewood furniture is very fragile and known to break under pressure. Furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival. Thomas chippendale was one such artisan as was louis comfort tiffany a century and a half later. President abraham lincolns office and cabinet roomthe large southeast room on. This book delivers all of the information known at the time of writing about john henry belter and his work.
No longer compatible with current web standards, the site was retired in august 2016. Chair, probably designed and manufactured by john henry belter, moulded rosewoodfaced plywood back, solid rosewood and oak frame, new york, about 1860. The name conjures up the image of a 10foottall man swinging a 100 pound sledge through solid rock faster than dynamite can blow a sand dune. The neoclassical style, sometimes called louis seize, or louis xvi, began in the 1750s. The dining room is adjacent to the family kitchen, a small kitchen designed for use by the first family, and served by a dumbwaiter connected to the main kitchen on the ground. John henry belter american, born germany, 18041863 side chair one of a pair with 64. Belter, john henry american furniture maker internet. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival marvin d. The serpentine white marble sits on a carved rosewood table with a stretcher base that includes cabriole legs joined by a conforming stretcher with a bird and three carved eggs in a nest and the table skirt has carvings of wolves, sheep, rams, elk and flora. Belter was born in hilter near osnabruck, germany and was trained as. He opened his own shop as a cabinet manufacturer in 1844, and later opened a factory as his company expanded.
The sofas history goes back much further than the vmfas acquiring of them. Best known for his chairs, belter also made some matching tables, sofas, couches, beds, cabinets and secretaries. Rosewood from brazil and east india were favored by mid 19thcentury patrons of formal furniture. Henry kirke brown 18141886, john quincy adams ward 18301910, and realism in american sculpture. John henry belter 18041863 was a famous american cabinetmaker of the rococo revival era. This sofa is attributed to the german immigrant craftsman john henry belter american, 18041863, one of new york citys most fashionable furniture makers.
Rococo revival mahogany library armchair attributed to john henry belter circa vintage and retro furniture 60 vintage victorian chair design you can add to anyroom dlingoo belter on liveauctioneers up for auction rococo revival mahogany library armchair attributed to john henry belter circa 18501860. Tiring of the rococo style, craftsmen of the 18th century turned for inspiration to classical art. About the time that duncan phyfe closed his large shop on fulton street after half a century as new yorks leading cabinetmaker, a young man working in a new furniture style established a shop at 40 chatham square. The legend of john henry has been celebrated in song and story for generations, but my favorite version is the childrens picture book john henry by julius lester, with illustrations by jerry pinkney. Julius lesters john henry is based on the african american folk ballad john henry, the tale of john henry, the steeldriving man who was bigger and stronger than anyone and the competition. We cant say with authority that it was his, because none of his objects are labelled and his factory records do not exist. The presidents dining room is a dining room located in the northwest corner of the second floor of the white house.
Belter, john henry article about belter, john henry by. He produced a book of engraved designs using the shell as a decorative motif. John henry belter 18041863 was a cabinet maker and furniture manufacturer in new york during the mid19th century. His name was commonly used as a generic term for all rococo revival furniture. John henry belter rococo revival parlor at the metropolitan museum of art. These factories employed new technologies and materials in their manufacture, such as the use of steambent and laminated woods as seen in the exuberantly carved chairs by john henry belter. John henry belter, cabinetmaker and designer known for his superb victorian rococo pieces. Identifying pearls used in antique and vintage jewelry. Gone were the days when a single craftsman toiled in his shop taking raw wood, carving and turning the elements to produce a finished piece that he would then sell himself. When i grow up, i would love this velvet pool chaise lounge in a book. In 1839, having anglicized his name to john henry belter, he became an. Scottish rite masonic museum of our national heritage.
Born and trained as a cabinetmaker and woodcarver in germany, belter migrated to new york where, by 1844, he had his own business. From the collectionjohn henry belter sofa milwaukee art. It gives some very basic information and has photos of various objects. Belter served as a cabinetmakers apprentice in wurttemberg now in germany, where he was trained in the black forest. John henry belter american, born germany, 18041863. John henry belter american, born germany, 18041863 armchair, rosalie pattern ca. Few craftsmen in history leave such an indelible mark on their craft that their name becomes synonymous with all other works of that style. American rococo style table by john henry belter, new york. Research 704 john henry belter prices and auction results in furniture. Vintage furniture john henry belter and the art of laminated, carved victorian furniture maker.
The massive bedrosewood and rosewoodpaintgrained walnutwas accompanied by a handsome marbletopped center table made by the famous new york shop of john henry belter, known for using strong, bendable laminated rosewood, and by a chest of drawers and a set of chairs also attributed to belter. Alan dubois contemporary craft fund arkansas arts center. Difference between a minaudiere and a necessaire evening bag. Time and chance by sharon kay penman, devils brood by sharon kay penman, when christ and his saints slept by sharon kay penma. Schwartz, including the antique hunters guide to american furniture. He is known for developing a technique for processing laminated rosewood in many layers to achieve thin panels that, once shaped in molds through steam heating, were finely carved. His furniture is usually of laminated rosewood with distinctive pierced and carved decoration. A tall tale of john henry and the mississippi and southern life. John henry belter american, born germany, 18041863 armchair ca. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival by schwarz and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. See more ideas about victorian furniture, victorian decor and antique furniture.
The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival. A few of our favorite things was an experimental website launched in 2001. Presenting three john henry belter rosalie with grapes chairs, one arm chair and two side chairs executed by belter using fine laminated rosewood, circa 1850s the belter rosalie pattern is featured on pages 84 and 85 of the reference book american furniture of. Schwartz encountered in piecing together the story of belters life and work.
With regard to julius lesters 1994 john henry, it is in particular illustrator jerry pinkneys 1995 caldecott honour winning accompanying illustrations which i have always found and ever since first reading the book as a library copy a couple of years ago very much personally and visually impressive expressive. Belter served as a cabinetmakers apprentice in wurttemberg now in germany, where he was trained in the black forest tradition of rich carving so admired during the 19th century. Historic rosalie mansion detailed in new fullcolor. In the history of midnineteenthcentury furniture making in the united states, the work of a new york cabinetmaker john henry belter is exceptional. This proof was given in a book entitled the furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival by marvin d. Designed to let users explore a sampling of the museums collection, the site featured 450 objectsfamous, unusual, and everydaywith interesting stories to tell. Use these tips for collecting fine antique and vintage china.
Blue deco cloth wsilver label on spine, illustrated endpapers, wprevious owners script, 223 pgs wlist of other books by the author. It is by no means comprehensive either in its description of the period, belters furniture making or values. It is located directly above the family dining room on the state floor and looks out upon the north lawn. Born in south germany, john henry belter spent his early years as an apprentice to cabinetmakers and woodworkers in stuggart in the wurttemberg province.
Designed by john henry belter and manufactured by j. The book serves as a catalogue of the show, but it goes well beyond the. Two sofas arrived at the vmfa in 1954 with no stamps, no painted inscriptions, and no labels. What is interesting about his work is the use of rosewood as a primary wood and the lengths he went to to overcome the inherent weaknesses of this wood. Stanek 2000, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. He moved to nyc in 1833, becoming a citizen in 1839. The movement was stimulated by archaeological discoveries, by travel in italy, greece, and the middle east, and by the publication all over europe. Many of the decorative arts enhancing the federal style mansion from the 1800s remain in place today, including complete john henry belter furniture sets, oil paintings by fannie mcmurtry rumble.
John henry, steel driver extraordinare, surely one of our most popular legendary heroes. Although the process of lamination was not new, belter patented a method of. In 1839, having anglicized his name to john henry belter, he became an american citizen. Through extensive research, their design and specialized process in which they were made led them to be credited to artisan john henry belter. Made nearly a century later, charles and ray eamess lcw lounge chair wood c. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival is basically a good book about belters furniture. John henry belter 1804 to 1863 the american furniture industry was in a state of flux in the mid19th century. Two decades after the revival of interest in john henry belters furniture. Rare rosewood rococo victorian etagere made by john henry belter, nyc. He left germany in 1833, at 29 years old, for new york city.
Belter, johann heinrich john henry 180463 furniture maker. Popular henry ii books meet your next favorite book. Tables, chairs, sofas, and beds, and collectors guide to antique american glass, and more on. John henry belter prices 704 auction price results. The massive bedrosewood and rosewoodpaintgrained walnutwas accompanied by a handsome marbletopped center table made by the new york shop of john henry belter. American rococo carved and laminated rosewood center table, c.
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