American Furniture 2023

This volume explores the material world of Thomas Jefferson through newly commissioned scholarship. Diane Ehrenpreis and Emilie Johnson, both curators at Monticello, examine how Jefferson drew inspiration from furniture encountered during his time abroad and collaborated with American craftsmen to realize both conventional and innovative designs. Their essays reveal how he thoughtfully arranged and adapted pieces to suit specific rooms and personal purposes.

Cary Howlett documents the conservation of Jefferson's celebrated rotating armchair, while James Gergat's investigation—supported by finish microscopy analysis by Susan Buck—offers fresh insights into two objects long connected to the Declaration of Independence.

A scholarly resource for collectors, historians, and those interested in early American decorative arts and craftsmanship.

224 Pages, 8.8 x 11.3 in, 200 illustrations.

Contents:

Cross-section Microscopy and Paint Analysis of Thomas Jefferson’s Revolving Windsor Armchair
Susan L. Buck

“Threads & Clues of it”: Thomas Jefferson’s New York Furniture
James Gergat

The Descent and Rise of Francis Trumble: A Philadelphia Success Story
James Gergat

“So that Every Detail Might Stand out Clearly”: New Upholstery for Thomas Jefferson’s Revolving Chair
F. Carey Howlett

“Recline at ease”: Thomas Jefferson’s Metamorphic Sofa
Emilie Johnson

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Born from a passion for American decorative arts, the Chipstone Foundation established this interdisciplinary journal to advance scholarship on furniture made and used across the Americas from the seventeenth century to the present.

Drawing on decades of collecting expertise and a commitment to preservation and education, American Furniture brings together rigorous research and curatorial insight for collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts alike.