French press
Unknown Artist
1810–15
Medium
Mahogany, mahogany veneer, gilded brass with yellow poplar, white pine
Dimensions
93 x 58 x 26 1/2 in. (236.2 x 147.3 x 67.3 cm)
Classification
French press
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Maria Dehon Polk, 1941
Accession Number
41.89
Art Historical Context
This elegant *French press*, crafted by an unknown American artisan between 1810 and 1815, stands as a fine example of early 19th-century neoclassical furniture from the Federal period. Measuring an impressive 93 x 58 x 26½ inches, it served as a wardrobe or clothespress for storing linens and garments, reflecting the growing affluence of American households during the post-Revolutionary era. Constructed from rich mahogany with mahogany veneer, gilded brass accents, yellow poplar, white pine, the piece showcases the era's preference for imported tropicalwoods, symbolizing luxury and status. T...