Lot Essay
This sofa is thought to be one of four for which King billed the White House in 1818. The original voucher, currently at the National Archives, Suitland (record Group 217, microcopy M235, roll 379) lists four sofas and twenty-four chairs made by King for the White House.
William King Jr. was born in Ireland, settled with his parents in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1774, and is thought to have apprenticed to John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland. From 1795 until his death in 1854, King worked as a cabinetmaker in Georgetown, District of Columbia. For a further discussion of his work see, Golovin, "William King, Jr., Georgetown furniture maker," The Magazine Antiques (May 1977), p.1032-1037.
William King Jr. was born in Ireland, settled with his parents in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania in 1774, and is thought to have apprenticed to John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland. From 1795 until his death in 1854, King worked as a cabinetmaker in Georgetown, District of Columbia. For a further discussion of his work see, Golovin, "William King, Jr., Georgetown furniture maker," The Magazine Antiques (May 1977), p.1032-1037.