Sofa 1795 - 1805

This sofa was made by Samuel McIntire, a renowned woodcarver and architect, most likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. McIntire was working in Salem, Massachusetts, during a period of significant social and economic change in the newly formed United States. The design of the sofa, with its neoclassical elements, reflects the cultural aspirations of the American elite at the time. They sought to emulate the refined tastes of Europe, while also establishing a distinct American identity. The sofa's presence in the Metropolitan Museum speaks to the ways institutions shape our understanding of art and culture. It elevates a functional object to the status of fine art, imbuing it with historical and aesthetic value. Understanding the social and economic context in which this sofa was made can offer insights into the lives and values of the people who commissioned and used it. Research into period documents, such as letters, inventories, and trade records, can reveal the social history embedded in this object.