Cabinet from the drawing room of the Worsham-Rockefeller House
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.Formerly attributed to Herter Brothers, the reattribution of this cabinet to Schastey is based on its distinctive carved ornament and its presence in a period photograph of Arabella Worsham’s drawing room. Although slightly altered at an unknown date, the cabinet incorporates many details, such as carved flattened oak-leaf swags, beading, ribbons, and putti heads, found in other Schastey interiors. The most unusual elements, however, are the massive brasses in loosely interpreted Celtic and Moorish styles. Each eight-pointed star is ornamented with brown and white agate bosses, similar to those that embellish the center table from the Moorish reception room (on view on this platform)—a feature perhaps unique in cabinetmaking of this era.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cabinet from the drawing room of the Worsham-Rockefeller House
- Maker: George A. Schastey & Co. (American, New York, 1873–1897)
- Maker: George A. Schastey (American (born Germany), Merseburg 1839–1894 at sea)
- Date: 1881–82
- Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Ebonized oak, brass, gilded bronze, and agate
- Dimensions: 60 1/2 × 75 3/4 × 13 1/4 in. (153.7 × 192.4 × 33.7 cm)
- Credit Line: Seattle Art Museum, The Guendole Carkeek Plestcheeff Endowmen for the Decorative Arts, The Decorative Arts and Paintings Council and the Decorative Arts Acquisition Fund, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing