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Lot Essay
Inspired by the 18th-century discovery of Pompeii, the publication of Thomas Sheraton's Encyclopedia (1804) and George Smith's Household Furniture (1808), interest in the ancient world escalated well into the 19th century in Europe and America. Baltimore and Philadelphia cabinetmakers in particular were very influenced by this development and produced furniture considered fashionable and exotic. In many cases different decorative Revival elements were combined on furniture indicating a lack of concern for retaining the purity of each style but an admiration of their elements.
This sideboard with its anthemion-carved reserves, lancet and quatrefoil inset panelled doors, figural and acathus-carved herms and brass lotus feet exhibits characteristics of both the Egyptian and Gothic styles. For related sideboards see Hurst and Prown, Southern Furniture (Williamsburg, Virginia, 1997), pp. 526-27, fig.159 & 159.2; Weidman, Classical Maryland 1815-1845 (Maryland Historical Society, 1993), p. 133, fig. 163 and Elder and Stokes, American Furniture 1680-1880 (Baltimore, 1987), pp. 154-156, fig. 117.
Recent research has revealed that Edward Priestley (1778-1837), a Baltimore cabinetmaker producing similar styled furniture, influenced a sub-group of cabinetmakers from Baltimore. Often associated with the Baltimore cabinetmakers William Camp (w. 1801-1822) and Michael Jenkins (1778-1832), the work of this group features herms closely related to Priestly's carving and the four carved herms on this sideboard are very similar to therms produced by this group. See Weidman, p. 133, fig. 162 and Elder and Stokes, fig. 118. For further information on Edward Priestley see Alexandra Alevizatos, "Procured from the Best and Most Fashionable Materials: The Furniture and Furnishings of the Edward Lloyds of Wye House, 1750-1850" (Master's Thesis, University of Delaware, 1999).
This sideboard with its anthemion-carved reserves, lancet and quatrefoil inset panelled doors, figural and acathus-carved herms and brass lotus feet exhibits characteristics of both the Egyptian and Gothic styles. For related sideboards see Hurst and Prown, Southern Furniture (Williamsburg, Virginia, 1997), pp. 526-27, fig.159 & 159.2; Weidman, Classical Maryland 1815-1845 (Maryland Historical Society, 1993), p. 133, fig. 163 and Elder and Stokes, American Furniture 1680-1880 (Baltimore, 1987), pp. 154-156, fig. 117.
Recent research has revealed that Edward Priestley (1778-1837), a Baltimore cabinetmaker producing similar styled furniture, influenced a sub-group of cabinetmakers from Baltimore. Often associated with the Baltimore cabinetmakers William Camp (w. 1801-1822) and Michael Jenkins (1778-1832), the work of this group features herms closely related to Priestly's carving and the four carved herms on this sideboard are very similar to therms produced by this group. See Weidman, p. 133, fig. 162 and Elder and Stokes, fig. 118. For further information on Edward Priestley see Alexandra Alevizatos, "Procured from the Best and Most Fashionable Materials: The Furniture and Furnishings of the Edward Lloyds of Wye House, 1750-1850" (Master's Thesis, University of Delaware, 1999).