... I had this photo on my office computer so in honor of John over at The Textile Blog who two days ago did a brilliant post on Rococo Revival - one of my favorite historical styles - here is a cute little number from the High Museum Decorative Arts Collection. Designed and made by John Henry Belter and very glamorous, it exhibits all the signs of 19th century furniture technology: bent plywood back with applied wood solids, carved, pierced and polished.
I can't help myself but every time I see it it reminds me of a plump big ol' drag queen.
drag queen indeed LOL - you hit the nail right on the head ;-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know much about American nineteenth century furniture design and designers, and so had not heard of Belter until I started reading rarevictorian.com.
ReplyDeleteThere is a whole fascinating system of designers, manufacturers and retailers in North America, that Europeans are completely ignorant of.
As a piece of furniture, it's a fine example of Rococo Drag.