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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