black ground and gilt, narrative, panoramic decoration; f key to drawer is in key cabinet MS; painted Chinoisorie decoration

Pier table, c. 1820

Unknown artist, expand_more
Not on Viewexpand_more

This pier table, a rare example of early 19th-century Massachusetts or New York painted furntiure, combines a simple neoclassical furniture form with elaborate Chinese-style gold and black surface decoration. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, American cabinetmakers imitated lacquer imported from China and Japan by combining European painting techniques with designs taken from Asian sources, called chinoiserie. Books on painted furniture detailed methods to achieve simulations of lacquered surfaces and also illustrated designs incorporating Asian figures and landscapes.

Details
Title
Pier table
Role
Artist
Accession Number
95.31a-f
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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black ground and gilt, narrative, panoramic decoration; f key to drawer is in key cabinet MS; painted Chinoisorie decoration