Sofa

Attributed to the Workshop of Duncan Phyfe American, born Scotland

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 733

Pieces of sofa-like furniture with scrolled ends, one higher than the other, were called "Grecian couches" in the early nineteenth century, when they were being made. In 1800 the French artist Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) had painted Mme Récamier reclining on a similar couch; the portrait became so famous that such couches are sometimes called "récamiers" after her. The frame of this example, painted and grained to simulate rosewood, is decorated with freehand gilded designs of eagles, foliate scrolls, and cornucopias, imitative of ormolu mounts.

Sofa, Attributed to the Workshop of Duncan Phyfe (American (born Scotland), near Lock Fannich, Ross-Shire, Scotland 1768/1770–1854 New York), Maple, American

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