Furniture Hardware 1820 - 1830

Henry Kellam Hancock likely created this furniture hardware in the early to mid-19th century. It depicts a cherubic figure playing what appears to be a guitar or lute. Reflecting the cultural milieu of the time, the piece evokes classical motifs and the decorative arts popular among the upper classes. Yet, its creation occurs in the context of enormous social upheaval. Rapid industrialization and urbanization were drastically reshaping American society and culture. One can think about how access to decorative objects like this would have been very class-dependent. What would it mean to have something beautiful adorning furniture in your home? This angel can be seen to be straddling both the secular and the spiritual realms. Consider this object as a material manifestation of both personal aspiration and broad societal change. It speaks to questions of identity, beauty, and belonging during a formative period in American history.