The arrival of immigrant craftsmen from Europe into America in the early 19th century came the style and popularity of classical designs that were sweeping Europe. Their collaboration with American furniture makers produced highly sophisticated Empire designs that were neither French nor English but incorporated American elements which eventually became known as American Empire. At the beginning of the 19th century Greek-inspired architecture gained popularity in Philadelphia, and classical furniture in America gained footing. Philadelphia Empire furniture looks closely at the development in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1840. At 592 pages, this is a huge book lavishly illustrated with photographs and drawings, and is perfect for the person whose library needs a good illustrative reference manual on the subject. Philadelphia Empire Furniture features a large portion of their pictures directly from advertisements or catalogues which must have been a huge undertaking to gather all the large amount of photos for this lavish database of Empire Furniture.
The draw back to this book as (many reviews have noted) that this book doesn't contain any educative resources for the person who is interested in researching the subject. The book contains a generous amount of photographs, but falls short when it comes to a wealth of information on the subject.
Empire Table
The authors explore Neo-Classicism, the emergence of Greek-Revival architecture, the cabinetmakers of Philadelphia Empire furniture, and the contemporary history of Philadelphia. One chapter is devoted exclusively to the unpublished sketchbook of accomplished craftsman Anthony G. Quervelle. Other talented and successful Philadelphia furniture makers included Michel Bouvier, Charles White, Cook & Parkin, and Joseph B. Barry, among several. This book provides historical data about their lives and careers.
Philadelphia Empire Furniture details chapters which are dedicated to each of the following forms: card tables, platform pedestal tables, pier tables, worktables, sofas, chairs, sideboards, secretaries, chests, bedsteads, looking glasses, clocks, and other decorative elements.
Photo Resources For Philadelphia Empire Furniture:
Philadelphia Museum of Art,
The Atheneum of Philadelphia,
The Winterthur Museum in Delaware
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
The White House Historical Association
About the Author
DR. JOHN WILLIAM BOOR has been an avid collector of Philadelphia Empire furniture for over 30 years. Dr. Boor's great love and appreciation of the Empire furniture style was the inspiration for writing this book. ALLISON, JONATHAN, CHRIS and PETER BOOR collaborated with their father to help produce this volume and although they follow different career paths, including medicine and business, an interest in Empire furniture is something they share and have grown up with. Allison, Jonathan, and Chris live abroad in Russia, St. Martin, and Canada respectively.
Cylinder Empire Desk
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