The modern and postmodern periods were a stark departure from the english and french influence and the periods of the past centuries. Original labels bearing these names are sometimes found on furniture pieces from this period, giving further provenance. Revival of the rococo style was not restricted to a specific time period or place, but occurred in several waves throughout the 19th century. Jun 11, 2017 many of the decorative arts enhancing the federal style mansion from the 1800s remain in place today, including complete john henry belter furniture sets, oil paintings by fannie mcmurtry rumble.
John henry belter prices 738 auction price results page 3. Charles belter historical records and family trees. Many of the decorative arts enhancing the federal style mansion from the 1800s remain in place today, including complete john henry belter furniture sets, oil paintings by fannie mcmurtry rumble. By 1875 the furniture from the herter brothers shop was in great demand by americas wealthiest families, who. The chair offered is identical to belter s dish back side chair in the industrial design section of the paris grand palais exhibition. Unfortunately, the book is one of a handful or less on the subject. John henry belter prices 709 auction price results page 2. Merida tradicional offers decor which never goes out of style, and exportquality furniture to last a lifetime, proudly made in mexico. This beautiful book is the definitive source for identifying furniture made by john henry belter. Warehouse 552 broadway manufacturers of all kinds of fine furniture, new york, in the pattern known as rosalie, the original serpentine marble top above a conforming apron with floral clusters, acanthus scrolls above scrolled dolphin carved legs.
The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival by marvin d. He was a noted inventor as well, with patents on his laminated furniture process. During this opulent period, herter brothers could claim to be the leading. It is by no means comprehensive either in its description of the period, belters furniture making or values. Furniture 610,273 lighting 109,648 decorative objects 87,878 seating 84,665 tables 82,433 serveware, ceramics, silver and glass 59,208 rugs and carpets 55,740 wall decorations 49,384 case pieces and storage cabinets 41,977 more furniture and collectibles 40,626 building and garden elements 24,996 mirrors 18,515 asian art and furniture 14,115.
Apr 01, 2021 the name of john henry belter is often connected with this period, for it was when he did some of his best design work. After the 1870s, taste in furniture grew still more eclectic, and particular styles were no longer so rigidly prescribed for particular rooms. Although belters ornate work is stylistically the antithesis of the pareddown, streamlined furniture of the 1930s and 1940s, he demonstrated the versatility of laminated wood, pointing the way for marcel breuer and charles eames to mold plywood into freeform curves of extraordinary grace. Belter produced intricate designs without use of pierced carvings which were traditionally used at the time.
President abraham lincolns office and cabinet roomthe large southeast room on the second floor of. Originally published in 1981, it continues to be the text of choice of collectors, museums. May 14, 2020 this new york citybased furniture and decorating firm was founded in 1862 by two cabinetmakers, germanborn anthony kimbel and frenchborn joseph cabus. See more ideas about victorian furniture, furniture, antique furniture. History the belarusian region has a long history of human settlement.
You can count on outstanding customer service, our book with confidence. Born and trained as a cabinetmaker and woodcarver in germany, belter migrated to new york where, by 1844, he had his own business. Some rococo revival pieces are intricately carved and pierced, made possible by a new technique introduced by john henry belter of new york. Belter in the rosalie pattern, made circa 1860 from solid. It would be great if someone updated this version as it is more than 30 years since it was printed. Research 709 john henry belter prices and auction results in furniture. Historic rosalie mansion detailed in new fullcolor guidebook. Charles belter was born circa 1916, at birth place, new york, to john belter and pauline belter.
The belorussian language was reformed to bring it closer to the russian language, and history books were rewritten to show that the belorussian people had strived to be united with russia throughout their history. Thomas chippendale was one such artisan as was louis comfort tiffany a century and a half later. In 1880 there were 52 belter families living in wisconsin. Schwartz 11 copies masterpieces of american furniture by lester margon 11 copies american windsor furniture. In 1848, gustave herter arrived in america from germany, fleeing political and economic chaos. His highend cabinet shop in new york city operated from 1844 to 1863, in an era that represented the height of the. The history two sofas arrived at the vmfa in 1954 with no stamps, no painted inscriptions, and no labels. The genius of john henry belter, antiques, artists and.
The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival by schwarz and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival is basically a good book about belters furniture. Jul 02, 1981 belter s carved and laminated furniture, made in manhattan from 1844 to 1863, was widely imitated, so a belter piece is difficult to identify without a furniture label, a bill of sale or a. Late19thcentury furniture makers old house journal magazine. Belter served as a cabinetmakers apprentice in wurttemberg now in germany, where he was trained in the black forest tradition of rich carving so admired during the 19th century. He opened his own shop as a cabinet manufacturer in 1844, and later opened a factory as his company expanded. Settling in new york city in 1833, he married and opened a fashionable shop on broadway. John henry belter s patent parlour furniture john henry belter s patent parlour furniture pp. Meeks also enjoyed success with laminated furniture.
American john henry belter victorian furniture indepth scholarly book. The publisher is antiques and books by lise bohm and not john bohm. Jul 19, 2012 belter was born in germany in 1804, came to new york city in 1833, and made furniture for the wealthy from 1844 until he died in 1863. John henry belter rosewood armoire for sale at 1stdibs. Viewers will see rare documented examples of belter furniture, designs. Henry belter historical records and family trees myheritage. John henry belter was considered the most prominent figure of rococo revival furniture making.
Carvings on 18thcentury rococo furniture pieces were simpler than the revival pieces. Identifying antique furniture styles antique trader. This is a piano chair, that made by jh belter in 1860 in nyc. Oct 27, 2016 few craftsmen in history leave such an indelible mark on their craft that their name becomes synonymous with all other works of that style. One of the rarest furniture forms created by john henry belter, this armoire is a testament to this legendary cabinet makers talent. The sofas history goes back much further than the vmfas acquiring of them.
The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival. Belter was born in hilter near osnabruck, germany and was trained as a cabinetmakers apprentice in wurttemberg, specializing in german rococo carving, which later became popular during the victorian era and is known today as the rococo revival style. One hundred and twentyfive years is a long time to await the vindication of history, but belter is at last secure in his niche as one of this nations most. He specialized in furniture for the parlor, including sofas. Born in germany in 1804, belter made his way to new york where he opened a cabinet shop in 1844 at 4012 chatham square. Antique victorian rosewood john henry belter slipper chair rococo revival no. Wisconsin had the highest population of belter families in 1880. Belter is known as the creator of a type of curved, generously proportioned, deeply yet delicately carved parlour set. Recognized as a pioneer in design and craftsmanship, belter is widely considered the finest furniture maker of the rococo revival period. Antique belter furniture, from german cabinet maker john henry belter one of the most celebrated and collected cabinet makers of new york city, famous for his rosewood furniture. Today belter is considered one of the defining artisans of the rococo revival. Made of laminated rosewood with rosalie patterned brocade. American john henry belter victorian furniture scarce in depth scholarly book.
Another such name is that of john henry belter, a german immigrant to america whose extraordinary technical innovations and masterful artistry quite literally. Best known for his chairs, belter also made some matching tables, sofas, couches, beds, cabinets and secretaries. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival is basically a good book about belter s furniture. However, mass produced furniture was on the rise while belter was working during the mid1800s, and shortly after his death, his company was forced into bankruptcy in 1867 at the hands of the industrial competition. Frederick was born on september 15 1824, in hanover, hannoversche landkreis, lower saxony niedersachsen, germany. Jan 01, 2010 john henry belter was a precivil war furniture maker. Belter s posthumous reputation slid into a prolonged decline, but today a single belter sofa or table may cost thousands, and many of his best pieces have been moved into museums. Most of the furniture that you find at estate sales are usually not made by these highend manufacturers. Instead, this period relied heavily on asian and african influences.
John bartons compelling new work looks at the good book as a text of cultural and religious significance sun, jun 23, 2019, 06. Pair of rosewood slipper parlor chairs sidechairs by belter sc101. John henry belter sofa american the metropolitan museum. Archaeology has provided evidence of upper paleolithic cultures, and neolithic new stone age remains are widespread. The area was one of the earliest to be inhabited by slavs, who settled. Schwartz encountered in piecing together the story of belters life. From the collectionjohn henry belter sofa milwaukee art. A rare american rococo carved rosewood center table, c. The book serves as a catalogue of the show, but it goes well beyond the. Antique, vintage, midcentury and modern furniture 610,273. This style was popularized by british design reformer charles locke eastlake 18361906, in his seminal book hints on household taste first english edition 1868, first american edition 1872. Originally published in 1981, it continues to be the text of choice of collectors, museums and auction houses.
The sofas were made around 1850 by the shops of belter using his particular wood lamination method of fusing together six or more thin layers of rosewood veneer that could be deeply carved. He left germany in 1833, at 29 years old, for new york city. John henry belter 18041863 was an american cabinetmaker active in new york city. Mar 08, 1981 the manneys collection is also the subject of the furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival, written by mr. Vintage furniture john henry belter and the art of laminated, carved victorian.
His mastery over his craft is on full display in this monumental piece. This design is often refered to as the springmeyer, after the long island new york family. The decoration of the table consists of sscrolls and cscrolls combined with grapes, pomegranates, roses, and pendent. Belter jan 09, 2010 north georgia antique auction in ga. John henry belter s patent parlour furniture bj clare vincent in the history of midnineteenthcentury furniture making in the united states, the work of a new york cabinetmaker john henry belter is exceptional. Belter s approach to rococo includes 17thcentury motifs for decoration. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival marvin d. The pieces shown in this guide are the more runofthemill victorian pieces you will encounter. President abraham lincolns office and cabinet roomthe large southeast room on. Best known for his museumquality rococo revival furniture, much of it in rosewood, made in his new york city factory. John henry belter american cabinetmaker britannica.
We have the best deals on belter so stop by and check us out first. Born in hilter, hannover, as johann heinrich belter, he came to the u. It is by no means comprehensive either in its description of the period, belter s furniture. Henry belter was born circa 1855, at birth place, indiana, to frederick wilhelm belter and wilhelmine louise charlotte belter born rodehfeld. Because of a paper label attached to the underside of a leg, the table may be securely given to belter and dated between 1856 and 1861. The most belter families were found in the usa in 1920.
An important american rococo carved and laminated rosewood center table, c. Dating furniture by old catalogues the new york times. Born in germany, john henry belter was a precivil war furniture maker. Jan 06, 2000 the furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival hardcover january 6, 2000 by marvin d. This was still very luxurious furniture, even if it was factorymade. Pieces of furniture in this style had low relief carvings, incised lines, moldings, geometric ornaments, and flat surfaces that were easy to keep clean. His furniture is usually of laminated rosewood with distinctive pierced and carved decoration. The furniture of john henry belter and the rococo revival hardcover january 6, 2000 by marvin d. Eastlake furniture was referred to as using joinery and would suggest oils rather than stains to disguise inexpensive woods. This was about 25% of all the recorded belter s in the usa. Gustave herter fled to america in 1848, followed by his brother, christian, in 1859. The company became known for its modern gothic aesthetic movement and anglojapanese furniture. Furniture history, the journal of the furniture history society, is an extensively illustrated scholarly journal issued annually to members only. Through extensive research, their design and specialized process in which they were made led them to be credited to artisan john henry belter.
During the later half of the nineteenth century, rococo revival was also fashionable in american furniture and interior design. It gives some very basic information and has photos of various objects. The genius of john henry belter, antiques, artists and makers. Schwartz encountered in piecing together the story of belters life and work. His highend cabinet shop in new york city operated from 1844 to 1863, in an era that represented the height of the rococo revival style. Jan, 2014 they also provide architectural elements including columns, trim, etc. See more ideas about furniture, victorian furniture, antique furniture. The massive bedrosewood and rosewoodpaintgrained walnutwas accompanied by a handsome marbletopped center table made by the new york shop of john henry belter. Within a couple of years he had moved to broadway along what would become furniture row in manhattan. Once again, this meant russification of the people and the culture. By 1875 their firm, renamed herter brothers, was supplying the white house with furnishings, as it had been doing for some of americas wealthiest families since 1858.
This period introduced furniture built from a number of massproduced materials such as molded plywood, metals, and plastics. Belters entry into the highly competitive new york furniture business coincided with the rise of rococo revival, one of the many historical styles that were recycled. Here are images of what the family has always called the belter chair. A true belter chair is hard to identify sun sentinel. John henry belter german on view at the met fifth avenue in gallery 736 this fivelegged sofa exemplifies the rococo revival style, popular in america during the 1840s and 1850s, which combined curvilinear forms and cabriole legs from eighteenthcentury french sources with the extremely detailed, naturalistic ornament favored in the mid.
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