Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 1650-1830

The Yale University Art Gallery recently unveiled a new exhibit featuring early American Rhode Island furniture, which features several objects from the Newport Historical Society’s collections. On Thursday October 6, 2016 the Society will host curator Pat Kane to discuss this exhibit during the talk Art and Industry in Early America: Rhode Island Furniture, 1650-1830.

Miss Kane’s talk will highlight themes from this exhibit and she will share discoveries made during her extensive preparations. The Yale University exhibit presents a comprehensive survey of Rhode Island furniture from the colonial and early Federal periods, including elaborately carved chairs, high chests, bureau tables and clocks. Drawing together more than 130 objects, it highlights major aesthetic innovations developed in the region. In addition to iconic, stylish pieces from important centers like Providence and Newport, it showcases simpler examples made in smaller towns and for export. The exhibition also addresses the surprisingly broad reach of Rhode Island’s furniture production, from the boom of the export trade in the late 17th century, its growth in the 18th century and decline in the early 19th century.