Sofa c. 1866

This sofa was made by the John Henry Belter factory sometime between 1844 and 1860, constructed from rosewood, fabric and various other materials. Belter was a New York cabinetmaker famous for his elaborate, laminated furniture. To create these forms, he used a technique that was part craft, part industrial production. Multiple thin layers of rosewood were glued together, placed in molds, and then steamed and bent into shape. This allowed for intricate, curving forms. It also maximized material efficiency, essential in a business like furniture-making. The frames were then carved with floral designs. The upholstered fabric is integral to the luxurious appeal of the sofa. The patterned textile, with its dense weave and rich colors, communicates the value of the piece, as a product for display as well as comfort. Belter’s work blurs the lines between art and design, high craft and factory production. By attending to the methods and means by which the piece was made, we can appreciate not only the techniques and tools, but also the wider social and economic context to which it belongs.