Christophers son john townsend 17321809, recognized as one of the outstanding craftsmen of the group, was held by the british for several weeks in 1777 and is believed to have worked in connecticut after his release, returning to newport in 1782. Morrison heckscher recently countered that townsends labels primarily served to establish his legacy in a very selfconscious manner. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Newport cabinetmaker is a landmark presentation of a supreme cabinetmaker. The landmark reference on the life and work of john townsend and the companion book to the 2005 john townsend show at the mma. During the second half of the 18th century, the new england seaport of newport, rhode island, became a leading center of american furnituremaking, with members of the townsend and goddard families dominating the trade. Documented newport cabinetmakers, joiners, and chairmakers from garrett, antiques, june 1958 and bjerkoe, the cabinetmakers of america, 1957 with additions and corrections. John townsend 17331809 is one of the most revered cabinetmakers of coloni. Dates in italics are documented working dates and pieces. The imposing structure on newports bellevue avenue claims many firsts, among them the first lending library in the united states and the first example of public palladian architecture. For more information about the social and architectural history of the newport mansions, the preservation society of newport county suggests the following readings. This handsome and generously illustrated book the first publication ever devoted to townsend looks at the life and legacy of this extraordinary cabinetmaker.
John townsend an eighteenthcentury cabinetmaker jstor. This book is the first new book on the market since michael mosess 1984 classic, master craftsmen of newport. It offers a catalogue of the documented oeuvre of john townsend 17331809, the great newport cabinetmaker, and describes the community of skilled makers in which he worked. For the opportunity to do an exhibition and book on john townsend i am. I am excited about a piece of furniture i have seen in a book john townsend newport cabinetmaker from the metropolitan museum of art. The book opens with an overview of newport and a discussion of other important cabinetmakers, including job. Preeminent among these stellar cabinetmakers was john townsend. The metropolitan museum of art will celebrate his pivotal role in the history of american furniture this spring with john townsend. John townsend newport cabinetmaker by morrison heckscher. Heckscher, john townsend newport cabinetmakernew york, 2005, pp. John townsend 17331809, newport solomon townsend 17761821, son. John townsend rare cabinet auctions at christies american. This handsome and generously illustrated bookthe first publication ever devoted to townsendlooks at the life and legacy of this extraordinary cabinetmaker. This lavishly photographed book is a summary of all the currently known and likely works by john townsend and his shop in newport in the late 18th century.
Documented newport cabinetmakers, joiners, and chairmakers. Newport cabinetmaker, on view in the american wing of the metropolitan museum of art through september 25. Paleontological research institution, c2017, also ed. In every ordinary sense john townsend, like virtually all eighteenth century american craftsmen, lived his life below the level of historical scrutiny, writes morrison h. It is the catalogue associated with the 2005 exhibit of john townsends works at the metropolitan museum of art in new york in 2005. Rhode island furniture, 16501830 at the yale university art gallery 2016. Preeminent among these stellar cabinetmakers was john townsend 17331809, whose meticulous. John townsend newport cabinetmaker free ebook download as pdf file. Newport chest of drawers newport historical society newport chest of drawers chest of drawers, c. John townsend rare cabinet auctions at christies american furniture sale. There is also anothe book on the townsend and goddards cant remember the name that is quite expensive and may be on reserve at a local library. The upholstery and chairmaking trades of eighteenth. The townsend and goddard families, who dominated newport, rhode island, cabinetmaking in the mideighteenth century, are credited with having developed the newport blockandshell form, distinguished by bold blocking capped by convex and concave shells.
One of only six cabinets of its kind signed by furniture maker john townsend is selling this month. John townsend colonial cabinets of newport youtube. Newport cabinetmaker, metropolitan museum of art, new york,ny john cederquist shown as a contemporary comparison to townsends work 2004 right at home. American studio furniture 1940 1990, museum of fine arts. Heres another look at sothebys and christies upcoming auctions on january 2021, featuring a number of rare and historic 18th century john townsend furniture items. The exceptional arnoldwicks family queen anne shellcarved and figured mahogany high chest of drawers with open talons, made by john townsend, newport, rhode island, dated est. John townsend, newport cabinetmaker complements the exhibition of his furniture held at the metropolitan museum of art in 2005. Nevertheless, the great man approach is apropos for the study of john townsend 17331809 of newport, rhode island, who manufactured a largely homogenous body of outstanding material in a small community and who took the time and trouble to label or otherwise identify much of his furniture as the product of his own eye, hand, and mind. The exhibition that accompanied that book assembled for the first time nearly all of the known works.
Erik gronning and amy coes the early work of john townsend in. Chuck phillipsas a firstyear student at the furniture institute of massachusetts, phillips was inspired by a visit to the john townsend exhibit. Redwood library acquires day book of newport cabinetmaker. Profusely illustrated and painstakingly researched, this is essential for all newport furniture enthusiasts. John townsend, newport cabinetmaker by morrison heckscher the gentleman and cabinetmakers director reprint of the third edition, dover publications samuel mcintire, carving an american style by dean lahikainen art and industry in early america, rhode island furniture 16501830 by patricia kane. Jobs daughter married john goddard, then his apprentice and the first of the. The second generation of newport cabinetmakers from these families are perhaps the. Metpublications is a portal to the mets comprehensive book and online publishing program with close to 700 titles published from 1964 to the present. Goddard and townsend goddard family graphite high chest identi.
John townsend was one townsend of the three brothers of that family who settled on the westerly end of long island some few years before 1643 the year governor kieft gave a patent for the town of flushing to john townsend and others. The book opens with an overview of newport and a discussion of other important cabinetmakers, including job and christopher townsend, john s father and uncle. Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the library of congress catalog. Townsends accomplishments have now been chronicled in a work as fastidiously crafted as his own. George washington was a teenager when the redwood library was completed in 1750. During the second half of the 18th century, the new england seaport of newport, rhode. Pieces have been included in major loan exhibitions, including john townsend. Furniture historian margaretta lovell argues that labelsnotably those of newport cabinetmaker john townsendpromoted the essentials of an artisans business. Newport cabinetmaker metropolitan museum of art publications by morrison h. Townsend family, american cabinetmakers working in newport, rhode island, during.
With other seemingly early blockandshell forms dated variously in the literature, this document cabinet may yet still prove to be the first fullblown execution of this celebrated newport design morrison h. It was four times the price tag for a louis xvi table that belonged to marie antoinette. Publication date 2005 collection americana language english. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. American studio furniture, renwick gallery, washington d. Until then, no other piece of furniture had sold for anything near that price. It presents a catalogue of the documented oeuvre of john townsend 17331809, the great newport cabinetmaker, and describes the community of skilled makers in which he worked.
It has received little or no attention until recently. Newport cabinetmaker at the metropolitan museum of art 2005 and art and industry in early america. John townsend 17321809 was the son of christopher townsend and patience. His elegant and restrained furniture was constructed from. On the fifteenth day of the third month, one thousand eight hundred and two, phila townsend, wife of john townsend, died at their house on eastons point8 and seven years later, march i2, i809, the newspaper announced lic record reveals anything of the personality of john townsend. The first portion of the book details the history of newport, with an emphasis on how it turned into a great cabinetmaking city.
Newport cabinetmaker, heckscher notes that townsend was twentyfour years old when he made the dining table with his signature and the date 1756. Townsend family, american cabinetmakers working in newport, rhode island, during the 17th and 18th centuries and forming with the goddard family the goddardtownsend group, known for case furniture characterized by block fronts and decorative carved shell motifs, frequently in the graceful and ornate style developed by the english cabinetmaker. See laura beach, redwood library acquires day book of newport cabinetmaker, antiques and the arts weekly, oct. The goddard and townsend families of newport lend their name to an extensive body of new. Bergner also noted that the subject of his sketch was bought in 1928, resold the same year and shipped to boston.