ticketsMember | Make a donation

Sideboard

ca. 1853
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 736
Widespread economic and political upheaval forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee Europe in the mid-nineteenth century. Many emigrants, including the French cabinetmaker Alexander Roux, became successful entrepreneurs in cities across the United States. Roux’s New York City cabinetmaking firm quickly established a reputation for producing masterfully carved high-style furniture, such as this sideboard. Roux displayed the prototype for this piece at the 1853 New York Crystal Palace Exhibition, prompting a commission to make a pair of related sideboards for the Astor family—this one and its mate, now at the Newark Museum.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Sideboard
  • Maker: Alexander Roux (1813–1886)
  • Date: ca. 1853
  • Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Black walnut, pine (secondary wood)
  • Dimensions: 92 3/4 x 71 3/4 x 25 5/8 in. (235.6 x 182.2 x 65.1 cm)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of the American Wing Fund and David Schwartz Foundation Inc. Gift, 1993
  • Object Number: 1993.168
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

Audio

Cover Image for 3875. Sideboard

3875. Sideboard

0:00
0:00
We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. Please email info@metmuseum.org to request a transcript for this track.

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Cabinet, Alexander Roux French, Mahogany, brass, gilt bronze mounts, American
Cabinet
Alexander Roux
ca. 1850–65
Slipper Chair, Alexander Roux French, Maple, brass, American
Slipper Chair
Alexander Roux
ca. 1860
Étagère Shelves, Alexander Roux French, Rosewood, chestnut, poplar, bird's-eye maple, American
Étagère Shelves
Alexander Roux
ca. 1850–57
Bench, Alexander Roux French, Beech, American
Bench
Alexander Roux
ca. 1865
Étagère, Alexander Roux French, Rosewood, rosewood veneer; chestnut, tulip poplar, bird's-eye maple (secondary woods), American
Étagère
Alexander Roux
ca. 1855

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.