Images(11)

Sofa

Date1820-1835

OriginAmerica, Delaware, Wilmington or Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumMahogany, tulip poplar; linen, curled hair

DimensionsOH: 35 1/8”; OW: 87”; OD: 24”

Credit LineGift of Ellen Rumford Barrett

Object number2017-245

DescriptionGrecian style sofa with veneered tablet back that scrolls slightly towards rear; applied carved volutes flank the tablet section; out curving scrolled arms with applied mahogany rondels at front ends; mahogany arm facing is convex and continues down the front of the arm and across the front skirt of the sofa; convex shaping is interrupted by the flat, blocked sections above the feet; animal paw front feet face towards ends with carved foliate and fruit wing pointing towards center of sofa; shaped, uncarved rear feet; upholstered on arms and seat; back upholstered in main, central portion with mahogany exposed on all four sides of upholstered section; upholstered outback; original foundation survives on the back and arms.
InscribedOn backboard in pencil, "GH Jones Piano Polisher/
No.1124 King Street/ Wil Del".

ProvenanceFamily history suggests that the sofa was originally owned by Elizabeth Clifford Morris (1813-1892) and Samuel Canby (1811-1875) in Wilmington, Delaware. The couple married on June 25, 1832 in Wilmington and per the family the sofa was listed in Elizabeth Clifford Morris Canby's will (1892) as the "Canby sofa." The line of descent for the sofa was to daughter Elizabeth Morris Canby Rumford (1848-1933) of Wilmington; to Lewis Rumford (1877-1961) of Wilmington; to nephew Lewis Rumford II (1905-1997); in the late 1960s to daughter Ellen Rumford Barrett.