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Remember Independence Day in Federal Fashion

The Game Room at the Mansion Museum includes a Chippendale-style sofa with claw feet and wool embroidered upholstery.

What could be better to write about as we approach the Fourth of July than Federal furniture? Long a favorite of discriminating antique enthusiasts, the Federal period provided the United States with American furniture that instilled long lasting pride.

When I first started this column, it was at the request of a former curator at the Oglebay Institute Mansion Museum, John Artzberger, now deceased. Any of my readers who knew John, remember that he was a true antiques aficionado and a real gentleman.

Since I worked at Oglebay Institute when I met him, doing public relations work, he insisted I get started on writing this weekly column on antiques, featuring — of course — treasures from the OI collections.

The following information on furniture found in the Game Room of the Mansion Museum is taken straight from the archives (April 2000) and includes Artzberger’s quotes and info.

One of the most well known names in furniture is Chippendale.

Actually, there were three Chippendales, the first was an early-18th century English cabinetmaker who created fine Georgian pieces. His most famous piece, though, might be his son, Thomas II, who became one of the most famous furniture designers and cabinetmakers of all time.

Thomas II (1718-79) began to design in the Georgian style but elevated Georgian to a more elaborate look. Publishing a book on furniture design in 1754 titled, “Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director,” this Chippendale wanted to leave a grand mark on the design world, and he did. His son, Thomas III, also worked in furniture design, becoming known for his designs in the style of Regency.

There’s a lovely English-made sofa with its original crewel cover to enjoy in the Mansion Museum Game Room. Featuring a gracefully curved and scrolled back as well as ball-and-claw feet, the Chippendale-style sofa is upholstered in wool embroidery on a heavy wool canvas that still holds in place the 1770-era horsehair stuffing.

A small room, located on the first floor, the Game Room is tucked in a long hallway off the main entrance. Guests view it through the door and barrier that reveals a pleasant scene designed to represent the 1740-1800 era. English Queen Anne, Chippendale and Hepplewhite furniture were some of the big names then, and there are many lovely pieces on display in this formal room, including a chest of drawers, a tilt-top table, a card table, tall clock and writing desk.

According to Artzberger, this room contains some of the earliest period furniture in the Mansion Museum.

Other items of interest in this room include chairs that were used at Monument Place, one of Wheeling’s most elegant homes built in the late 1700s.

Paintings and portraits of historical importance in this room include: Cynthia Zane (member of the pioneer family), Richard Stockton (signer of the Declaration of Independence) and his wife Rebecca, and Lydia Boggs Shepherd (owner and renowned hostess of Monument Place).

Many other furniture styles and decorating treasures can be seen in the Mansion Museum. Each period room features a specific design era and furniture typical of that era and much of the furniture has an historical connection to the tri-state region as well.

The museum is open for summer hours now, seven days a week and on July 4, by the way. Have a happy, historical Independence Day!

For comments or suggestions on local treasures to be featured in Antique of the Week, Maureen Zambito can be reached via email, zambitomaureen@hotmail. com, or by writing in care of this newspaper.

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