Name/Title
LoungersEntry/Object ID
1977.69.1 A-BDescription
Matching pair of mahogany framed, Empire style "méridiennes" (loungers). The backs are of a double scroll design with rolled high ends. The face of the frames of the rolled high ends have carved cornucopias and foliage designs. The front legs are carved lions paws with scrolling fern fronds. They have been reupholstered in Scalamandré rose color silk with a bee pattern.Use
Chaise recamier sofas like this would have been used in upper class households in the 1800s. While around in various forms for centuries, loungers were helpful to sitters, primarily women, in the Victorian Era as they provided support through their high-curved arm.Context
While originally believed to be the work of Antoine Gabriel Quervelle (1789–1856), a Frenchman who immigrated to the States and settled in Philadelphia, these loungers are possibly the work of Charles H. White (1796–1876). Also of Philadelphia, White was a contemporary of Quervelle, operating out of a warehouse on Walnut Street.
Born in Paris, France, Antoine Gabriel Quervelle emigrated to Philadelphia some time around 1817 where he married Louise Genevieve Monet (d.1847). The couple had two children, Pierre and Antoine. Quervelle would remarry after Louise's death and would have a daughter named Caroline. Quervelle was listed as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia from 1820 until his death in 1856. His work survives in multiple galleries around the country, as well as in the East Room of the White House as commissioned by Andrew Jackson in 1829.
Born in New Jersey, Charles White moved to Philadelphia at the age of 15 as an indentured servant to his brother-in-law, Benjamin Paxson (1776–1846). While it is uncertain who taught White the cabinetmaking trade—though it is often speculated that he learned from Joseph Barry (1757–1838)— White later served as a founding member of the Franklin Institute, an association of professionals involved in a variety of trades such as smithing, brickmaking, and cabinetmaking.
In 1836, a group of apprentices working for White and his brother, John Ferris White (1807–1866), filed a lawsuit against the brothers, claiming that they did not provide enough food for their apprentices. This caused many future cabinetmakers to look elsewhere for their training in the late 1930s. According to the 1830 US census, Charles had 24 individuals working under him, while in 1840, he only had 11. In 1857, White retired due to a decline in business, prompting him to sell his entire stock of furniture in December of that year. However, he kept the job title of "Cabinetmaker" until 1860. Over the course of the next 16 years, Charles was listed as "gentleman," "broker," or "retired cabinetmaker" in the census and city directories, with a brief revival of his title of "cabinetmaker" between 1862 and 1863. This revival was likely to make additional income during the Civil War.Furniture Details
Furniture Type
Couch/SofaFurniture Style
American EmpireMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Charles H. WhiteAttribution
Attributed toRole
MakerArtist
Antoine Gabriel QuervelleAttribution
Attributed toRole
MakerDate made
1825 - 1830Place
State/Province
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaDimensions
Height
33-1/2 inDepth
27-3/4 in
