Sofa
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-1504
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the elegant world of early 19th-century Italian design with this sofa by Giuseppe Barberi (1746–1809), crafted around 1800. As a skilled Italian artisan active during a transformative period in European decorative arts, Barberi contributed to the refined furnishings that graced the homes of the elite. This piece, classified as furniture, exemplifies the craftsmanship of its era, when sofas evolved from mere seating to statements of sophistication and comfort. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection through a museum purchase supported by generous donors, the sofa b...