Product Description

A catalog of outstanding pieces of furniture crafted in New York during the Federal Period. Thirty-five color plates illustrating outstanding pieces in the Hepplewhite and Sheraton styles and the early classical style popularized by Duncan Phyfe. Detailed documentation of chairs, candlestands, sofas, desks, pier tables, settees and other items from the collection of the New York State Museum.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #846937 in Books
• Published on: 1988-01
• Binding: Paperback
• 29 pages

Customer Reviews

A Disappointing Pamphlet
This pamphlet was a serious disappointment, but it was my fault - I did not look at the number of pages, only 29. It is the catalogue of a rather limited collection of Federal furniture at the New York State Museum in Albany. The collection has a few very good representatives of the period but no truly spectacular pieces. The best members are probably the chairs and sideboards. The photographs in the book are well done but there is only one for each piece and that is usually taken from straight forward affording no perspective on the piece. The presentations are not adequate for reproduction or even serious study. Nevertheless, each piece does have a brief description and a provenance. It can stimulate light discussion from a position on a coffee table.

I see little reason to buy this brief catalogue unless you happen to be going to see the collection in Albany. Rather better to spend the time and money on the collections at Winterthur in Delaware or The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

disappointing
Also my fault -- again, the number of pages makes this an outrageous purchase. Also, I agree that the photos are okay but only one, no details. I also think that some of the photos make it look like the pieces were restored by a bad restorer or conservator.