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In the News

‘Masterpieces of American Furniture’

The Kaufman Collection, on display at the National Gallery of Art beginning Oct. 7, is one of the largest private collections of early American furniture.

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A Grecian couch from 1810-1840 made of walnut and cherry, with white pine and poplar, is now part of the permanent Kaufman Collection of American Furniture at the National Gallery of Art. The Kaufmans bought this Grecian couch in the District, though most of their finds came through Manhattan dealers. The botanical prints are from a lot of 55 that Linda Kaufman bought and framed. She donated 16 of them to the gallery.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Detail of the wood decoration of one of the legs of the Grecian sofa. In the early 19th century, John and Hugh Finlay, Baltimore artisans, made the surface look like gilding and rosewood.

Detail of the wood decoration of one of the legs of the Grecian sofa. In the early 19th century, John and Hugh Finlay, Baltimore artisans, made the surface look like gilding and rosewood.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Linda H. Kaufman is pictured at the National Gallery of Art with a late-18th-century porcelain punch bowl. It sits on a dining room table that was once belonged to Kaufman’s mother, and can seat 21 guests.

Linda H. Kaufman is pictured at the National Gallery of Art with a late-18th-century porcelain punch bowl. It sits on a dining room table that was once belonged to Kaufman’s mother, and can seat 21 guests.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

Though the collection focuses on America rarities, this clock and another like it come from France. Made in the early 19th century in Paris, it depicts Benjamin Franklin; a mantel clock honoring George Washington is on a nearby wall.

Though the collection focuses on America rarities, this clock and another like it come from France. Made in the early 19th century in Paris, it depicts Benjamin Franklin; a mantel clock honoring George Washington is on a nearby wall.

Sarah L. Voisin / The Washington Post

The Kaufmans bought most of their pieces from a legendary Manhattan dealer, Israel Sack, and others at auction in New York. Linda Kaufman jokes that the triangular compartment on this Seymour-built desk and chest from Boston is big enough to hold a tricorn hat.

The Kaufmans bought most of their pieces from a legendary Manhattan dealer, Israel Sack, and others at auction in New York. Linda Kaufman jokes that the triangular compartment on this Seymour-built desk and chest from Boston is big enough to hold a tricorn hat.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

French artisans found a new market in the United States as it emerged as a world power: clocks that saluted its statesmen. Kaufman donated one featuring George Washington that is inscribed: “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

French artisans found a new market in the United States as it emerged as a world power: clocks that saluted its statesmen. Kaufman donated one featuring George Washington that is inscribed: “First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen.”

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Kaufman’s furniture collection wasn’t just for show: She used the pieces in her daily life. “They made it through 200 years,” she says, “they can make it through me.” She stacked everyday belongings in drawers and on cabinet shelves.

Kaufman’s furniture collection wasn’t just for show: She used the pieces in her daily life. “They made it through 200 years,” she says, “they can make it through me.” She stacked everyday belongings in drawers and on cabinet shelves.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

The carvers of chairs and tables often favored ball-and-claw feet, but a particular style in Newport, R.I., left space between the elements, making the grasp of the talons all the more lifelike, explains celebrity appraiser (and Kaufman friend) Leigh Keno.

The carvers of chairs and tables often favored ball-and-claw feet, but a particular style in Newport, R.I., left space between the elements, making the grasp of the talons all the more lifelike, explains celebrity appraiser (and Kaufman friend) Leigh Keno.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Kaufman collects what is called the decorative arts, a fussy name for a messy process. This was a craft for a nation that was literally building itself by hand. Early American furniture like the Kaufmans found, bought and preserved is considered colonial America’s first art form.

Kaufman collects what is called the decorative arts, a fussy name for a messy process. This was a craft for a nation that was literally building itself by hand. Early American furniture like the Kaufmans found, bought and preserved is considered colonial America’s first art form.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

The detail is shown on “Desk and Bookcase” a mahogany, yellow pine, white cedar, poplar and white oak work made in Philadelphia around 1755-1765. The piece, considered the collection’s most important, depicts Catherine Macauley, an early British feminist.

The detail is shown on “Desk and Bookcase” a mahogany, yellow pine, white cedar, poplar and white oak work made in Philadelphia around 1755-1765. The piece, considered the collection’s most important, depicts Catherine Macauley, an early British feminist.

/ Courtesy National Gallery of Art

A work table made in New York between 1815 and 1825 of rosewood with rosewood veneer. A gentlelady could keep her needlepoint work-in-progress in the drawer and her supplies in the compartments hidden by the table’s hinged lid.

A work table made in New York between 1815 and 1825 of rosewood with rosewood veneer. A gentlelady could keep her needlepoint work-in-progress in the drawer and her supplies in the compartments hidden by the table’s hinged lid.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Chairs, hand-crafted and decorated in different colors in the 18th century, are accompanied by period paintings. Kaufman chose portraits of women in bright clothing to make the museum exhibit look more domestic.

Chairs, hand-crafted and decorated in different colors in the 18th century, are accompanied by period paintings. Kaufman chose portraits of women in bright clothing to make the museum exhibit look more domestic.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

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