Baluster
Unknown Artist
first half 18th century
Medium
Walnut
Dimensions
Height: 32 1/4 in. (81.9 cm)
Classification
Woodwork
Culture
British
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1932
Accession Number
32.106.51
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of early 18th-century British architecture with this elegant walnut baluster, crafted by an unknown artisan during the first half of the Georgian era (circa 1714–1760). Standing at 32¼ inches tall, this slender, vase-shaped post exemplifies the period's love for symmetrical, classical-inspired designs in interior furnishings and staircases. Balusters like this supported handrails on grand staircases or balconies, blending utility with ornamental grace in the homes of the emerging middle and upper classes. Carved from rich walnut—a prized hardwood valued for its dur...