Pair of pedestals
Unknown Artist
ca. 1778
Medium
Pine carcase, satinwood veneer, inlaid with mahogany, rosewood and other woods
Dimensions
Overall (each): 55 × 13 × 8 in. (139.7 × 33 × 20.3 cm)
Classification
Woodwork-Furniture
Culture
British
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964
Accession Number
64.101.1054, .1055
Art Historical Context
This exquisite pair of pedestals, around 1778 by an unknown British artisan, exemplifies the refined elegance of late Georgian furniture. Standing at over 4 feet tall, each pedestal features a pine carcase—a sturdy, economical core—covered in satinwood veneer, a lustrous tropical wood prized for its golden hue and fine grain. Delicate inlays of mahogany, rosewood, and other contrasting woods add geometric patterns and subtle ornamentation, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of British woodworkers during the neoclassical revival. The use of veneering and inlay techniques was revolutionary...