Herter Brothers: Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age

Herter Brothers: Furniture and Interiors for a Gilded Age
ISBN-10
0890900604
ISBN-13
9780890900604
Pages
272
Language
English
Published
1994
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Author
Katherine S. Howe

Description

In 1848, Gustave Herter arrived in America from Germany, fleeing political and economic chaos. His brother, Christian, joined him a decade later. By 1875 their firm, renamed Herter Brothers, was supplying the White House with furnishings, as it had been doing for some of America's wealthiest families since 1858. During this opulent period, Herter Brothers could claim to be the leading cabinetmaking and decorating firm in the country. The best of the Herter Brothers' furniture and interiors are displayed in 133 color and 167 black-and-white illustrations, including many close-up details as well as comparative work by rival fine cabinetmakers of the time in New York and Europe. Herter Brothers tells the story of the company from its earliest manifestations, when Gustave worked with other partners and alone, through his partnership with his brother, to Christian's years as head of the firm and the end of his tenure.