A Classical Sofa

Boston, Massachusetts
Circa 1815
Attributed to Thomas Seymour

While this model will be familiar to collectors of Boston Classical furniture, this particular sofa exceeds all others in quality and execution. It is believed to have been made by the renowned Boston cabinetmaker Thomas Seymour near the end of his career. The carving is attributed to the premier Boston carver Thomas Wightman. Thomas Sheraton’s 1803 pattern book, Cabinet Dictionary, depicts three sofas with similar saber legs and lyre-carved tablets that could have been Seymour’s inspiration for this sofa. The crest rail on this sofa has three framed panels placed between sections of beautifully grained crotch mahogany.  Each panel has a beautifully carved musical lyre attributed to the carver Thomas Wightman. The maker utilizes large scrolled arm supports and saber-shaped front legs with a dramatic deep sweep. The legs terminate in brass toe caps and casters in gilt-lacquered finishes. 

Mahogany, (Secondary woods: maple)
Height: 37 ¾” Width: 72” Depth: 29”
U1050