Object Number 1951.0033

Object Name

Sofa

Category

Furniture

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Henry Francis du Pont

Creator (Role)

Adam S. Coe (Furniture Maker)
01/23/1782-12/12/1862
A Newport deed for land dated 1810 is inscribed "Adam S Coe cabinetmaker." In 1847 he sold the land "with a workshop to Simeon Hazard cabinetmaker." Coe later joined the firm of Robert P. See and Company, lumber merchants. (Downs, fig. 276)

Joseph Li Volsi (Upholsterer)
August 14, 1907-October 22, 1985
Per telephone conversation with Paul Periconi, nephew of Joseph LiVolsi, 08/18/2009: LiVolsi was born on August 14, 1907. His father, Salvatore, and his mother immigrated from Italy. Joseph LiVolsi was a third generation upholsterer. LiVolsi married his wife, Grace on November 18, 1934. In addition to working for Winterthur, Mr. Periconi notes that his uncle did work for the White House refurnishing project and for Mount Vernon, among other museums. LiVolsi worked at home after his retirement until the time of his death. It is very likely that all information, fabric scraps, and tools pertaining to his upholstery business were disposed of after Grace LiVolsi's death in 2007. (SAJ, 08/18/2009) More information about LiVolsi is available on the website: http://www.scovottifamily.com/grace.html

Place of Origin

Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, New England, United States, North America

Origin Notes

This sofa was reupholstered in the mid 20th century at Winterthur.

Secondary Place of Origin

Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

Previously attributed to Italy between 1700 and 1735, this fabric was probably made in Europe between 1725-1775.

Date

1812

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Inscription; Front of crest rail; "Made by Adam Coe April 1812 for Edw W. Lawton/ Newport"
2. Inscription; Front of crest rail; "B. Hadwen/ of[?] Newport/ [?]

Materials

Mahogany; Birch; Cherry; Pine, white; Silk

Techniques

Woven (damask)

Dimensions (inches)

41.5 (H) , 94 (W) , 27.75 (D)

Dimensions (centimeters)

105 (H) , 239 (W) , 70.5 (D)

Measurement Notes

OW at arms, OD at seat.

Object Description

Text available soon.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Richards, Nancy E. & Evans, Nancy Goyne. 1997 New England Furniture at Winterthur: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods.
• Published: cat. no. 98, pp. 183-185.
[Book] Downs, Joseph & du Pont, Henry Francis. 1952 American Furniture: Queen Anne and Chippendale Periods, in the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum.
• Published in Downs, fig. 276.
[Book] Sweeney, John A. H. 1963 The Treasure House of Early American Rooms.
• Published: p. 68
[Electronic] Yale University Art Gallery. Rhode Island Furniture Archive. http://rifa.art.yale.edu/index.htm
• RIF1418