Sofa 1903 - 1905

This sofa was made by John Scott Bradstreet and Company sometime between 1901 and 1914. Just look at this thing! The dark carved wood contrasting with that light-colored upholstery is so striking. I'm really drawn to the way the light catches the carved details—the leaves and vines seem to crawl across the surface. And the texture! It feels like you could run your fingers over it and get lost in the details. I can imagine the craftsman carefully carving each element, considering the play of light and shadow, almost like a drawing. It makes you consider the piece as a whole. The overall effect is pretty formal, almost a bit intimidating. It reminds me of some of the early modern furniture designs, like those by Charles Rohlfs, where the emphasis is on craftsmanship and unique form. It's a cool piece that shows how even functional objects can be works of art, full of creative expression.