Table with Sphinx Base
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-1409
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Table with Sphinx Base** *Giuseppe Barberi (, 1746–1809), ca. 1790* Step into the refined world of late 18th-century Italian with Giuseppe Barberi's *Table with Sphinx Base*, captivating piece of furniture now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection. Crafted around 1790, this work reflects Barberi's expertise as an architect and designer Rome, where he created luxurious furnishings for elite patrons. Acquired through museum purchase with gifts from various donors, it exemplifies the era's blend of functionality and ornamentation. The table's standout feature—a base shaped like a sphinx—evokes ancient Egyptian symbolism, popular in European decorative arts during this period of fascination with classical antiquity. Sphinxes, guardians of knowledge and mystery in mythology, added an exotic, intellectual allure to neoclassical interiors. Though the exact medium remains under research, such furniture highlighted masterful woodworking and sculptural carving, transforming everyday objects into statements of sophistication and cultural prestige. This piece invites us to ponder how 18th-century tastemakers bridged ancient inspirations with modern living, bridging Italian craftsmanship to American collections today. (198 words)