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Bedstead

1810–15
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 729
According to the most recent scholarship on Thomas Seymour, there is no Boston carving of the Federal period more spectacular than the lavish decoration on the footposts of this bedstead carved by Thomas Wightman. Wightman is documented as working as a sub-contractor for Thomas Seymour in 1809 on an order of furniture for Elizabeth Derby West (1762-1814) for Oak Hill, her country estate in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Bedstead
  • Maker: Possibly by Thomas Seymour (1771–1848)
  • Maker: Cornice attributed to John Doggett (1780–1857)
  • Decorator: Painting attributed to John Ritto Penniman (American, Milford, Massachusetts 1782–1841 Baltimore, Maryland)
  • Decorator: Carving attributed to Samuel McIntire (1757–1811)
  • Decorator: Carving attibuted to Thomas Wightman (American, 1759–1827)
  • Date: 1810–15
  • Geography: Made in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Mahogany, mahogany veneer, mahoganized maple and white pine, painted and gilded wood
  • Dimensions: 106 3/4 x 58 5/8 x 79 1/2 in. (271.1 x 148.9 x 201.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: John Stewart Kennedy Fund, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.110.64
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Desk and Bookcase, Thomas Seymour American, Maple, mahogany, oak, white pine, American
Desk and Bookcase
Thomas Seymour
1800–1805
Side Chair, Thomas Seymour American, Mahogany, birch veneer, birch, tulip poplar, American
Side Chair
Thomas Seymour
1805–10
Tall Clock, Thomas Seymour American, Mahogany, mahogany veneer,<br/>maple with white pine, American
Tall Clock
Multiple artists/makers
1805–10
Dressing glass, Thomas Seymour American, Mahogany, mahogany and birch veneers, and glass with white pine, American
Dressing glass
Thomas Seymour
1810–15
Sideboard Table, Thomas Seymour American, Primary: mahogany,mahogany and curly maple veneers, birch, holly (arch inlay) Causurina (she-oak) all light wood veneers and inlay, Sabicu (side veneer): secondary: soft maple (sides and sub-top), white pine (tops to end sections, backboard, drawer bottoms) cherry (drawer sides and back)., American
Sideboard Table
Thomas Seymour
1805–10

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