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Staircase from Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire

Attributed to Edward Pearce
ca. 1677–80
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 509
The exuberant carving of this magnificent staircase is attributed to the English master Edward Pearce, but it is similar to the work of Grinling Gibbons, who, like many other influential artists in seventeenth-century England, was Dutch. In keeping with Baroque ideals, the design consists of natural vegetal elements restrained and ordered by art. A dramatically undercut acanthus scroll with seed pods carries the balustrade between square newels; neatly arranged oak leaves compose the molding below, and pine cone finials crown the corner posts.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Staircase from Cassiobury Park, Hertfordshire
  • Maker: Attributed to Edward Pearce (ca. 1630–1695)
  • Date: ca. 1677–80
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: Risers, treads: oak; balustrade friezes, finials: elm; newel posts, stringers, skirting, baluster bases, balusters, handrails: pine
  • Dimensions: Height: 186 in. (472.4 cm)
  • Classification: Woodwork
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1932
  • Object Number: 32.152
  • Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

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2131. Staircase From Cassiobury Park, Herfordshire

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More Artwork

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Salver (part of a coffee service), Edward Pearce, Silver gilt, British, London
Salver (part of a coffee service)
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Commode from Croome Court, Worcestershire, Peter Langlois French, Pine and oak with marquetry of satinwood, kingwood, and other woods on a mahogany ground; gilded bronze, British
Commode from Croome Court, Worcestershire
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Tapestry Room from Croome Court, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Plaster, pine, mahogany, bronze-gilt, marble, lapis lazuli, steel; wool and silk (22-24 warps per inch, 9-10 per centimeter), British, Worcestershire with French, Paris (Gobelins) tapestry
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Console table from Croome Court, Worcestershire, Robert Adam British, Scottish, Carved and painted pine with newly carved swags; marble sheets veneered on a limestone core, British
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