373- Greek Revival parlor

 


August 4, 2024

Gallery 738, the "Richard and Gloria Manney Greek Revival Parlor " is presumably named after the donors whose gift enabled the creation of this space. The descriptive placard makes clear that, perhaps more than any other period room, this room relies on the imagination and knowledge of Met curators working with pattern books of the mid-1830s, the period the room is intended  to reflect. Only two architectural details are authentic to that era: the entrance, which is framed by tall Ionic columns, and the black mantelpiece. The room was designed with two full-length windows, but is nonetheless quite dark. 

The space, which measures perhaps 35 feet long and 25 feet wide, showcases a suite of furniture that includes a round table at the room's center, a marble-topped chest and secretary, a number of chairs, and two long day beds that are mirror images of each other. Much (all?) of the furniture, made of mahogany, came from the home of a New York City attorney, Samuel Foot, whose house stood at 638 Broadway - not far from where I used to live - and who commissioned the pieces from the renowned cabinet-maker Duncan Phyfe. I could pass on the other items, but I very much like the chairs, with their simple, graceful lines.  They would fit in very well with my own decor.



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