Sofa 1843

This sofa was made by Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince, in France, using wood, fabric, and gilded bronze. At first glance, this appears to be a standard example of high-style furniture. But consider the labor required to produce it. Look closely at the gilded bronze elements. These would have been cast, chased, and carefully applied. And the upholstery itself involved complex weaving and fitting. The fabric doesn’t simply cover the frame, it's pulled and shaped, creating a taught surface. These processes require a high degree of specialization and long hours of work. All this labor speaks to the patronage of the wealthy, who desired elaborate furnishings to signal their elevated status, but also to the lives of the many workers, often anonymous, who made such objects possible. By focusing on the making of this sofa, we can appreciate its beauty and consider its social context.