Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Hall Tree

Manufacturer John Henry Belter (American, 1804-1863)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1855

MediumLaminated Rosewood

DimensionsOverall: 75 x 42 1/2 x 19 in. (190.5 x 108 x 48.3 cm)

InscribedBelter's trade label is glued to the underside of the drawer.

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.3055

On View

Not on view

DescriptionThe lower half of the hall tree in the Louis XV revival style with Cabriole legs decorated with fruit and leaves at the knee. Suspended between the legs is a shaped shelf with a metal container at each end to hold umbrellas. The top support of the umbrella stand is missing. This was fastened to the back and was probably a shaped piece of metal. The table has a single drawer under its shaped marble top. The upper portion of the hall tree is composed of a large central grotesque mask with a mirror above supported at each side by a strange bird-like figure.

Published ReferencesEd Polk Douglas, "From J.H. Belter & Co?: The Mystery of a Magnificent Mirror", NEW YORK-PENNSYLVANIA COLLECTOR, July 12, 1985, ill. p. 13. "The Furniture of John Henry Belter", ANTIQUES AND FINE ART, Vol. 8, No. 1 (NOV/DEC 1990), p. 114, ill. in color.