Sofa

Dateca. 1810- 20

Label TextA wealthy Portsmouth ship captain, George McClean, was the original owner of this sofa. His name was branded on the sofa's frame for fire insurance identification-urban fires consumed whole streets of dwellings and as the most costly furnishings were typically removed to the streets for preservation, marked belongings ensured their return to the owner. Sofas, typically priced from $35 to $46, were the most expensive seating furniture at this time.

Object number2005.180

ProvenanceMr. George McClean (d. 1820), Portsmouth, New Hampshire, until 1820; Supply Ham, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, from 1820; (unknown); Israel Sack, Inc., 4 November 1985; Ruth Nutt, Orcas, Washington, 1985-2005; gifted Seattle Art Museum 2005.

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "An American Sampler" May 18, 2002 - July 4, 2005 Boston, Massachusetts, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquites, "Portsmouth Furniture: Masterworks from the New Hampshire Seacoast", 1993 Published ReferencesJobe, Brock W., "Portsmouth Furniture: Masterworks from the New Hampshire Seacoast", (1993) Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Boston: cat. 106b

Credit LineGift of Ruth J. Nutt

Dimensions34 x 72 x 24 in. (86.4 x 182.9 x 61cm)

MediumMahogany and birch veneer, secondary wood elm or maple, modern upholstery