Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 20

Rococo Revival John Henry Belter Meridienne/Recamier

About the Item

Spectacular Rococo Revival Meridienne/Recamier 'fainting couch' attributed to the American master cabinet maker John Henry Belter, who is widely considered to be the godfather of American Rococo Revival furniture of the highest quality. Many of Belter's pieces reside in museums, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the V&A, so for a piece of this quality and exceptional stature to become available to the market is extremely rare. The deep carved cabriole legs, resplendent in C and S curves and scrolls, are incredibly detailed and complimented by the extravagant floral and clam shell decoration are simply beautiul. The deep buttoned high back undulating seat has been fully professionally reupholstered in a sumptuous Oatmeal Linen, as well as each of the over 100 deep set buttons. Likewise the frame has been hand polished by our expert French Polisher, resulting in what we consider to be the most exceptional piece of furniture that we have had the privilege to offer from our collections. This piece dates to circa 1850 and was removed from a Castle Estate in France in 2020. Measures: Height 118cm x length 198cm x depth 76cm. Seat height from floor 43cm. Seat depth 65cm. Height off floor at centre (lowest point of frame) 17cm John Henry Belter (1804–1863) was an American cabinetmaker active in New York CityBelter was born in Hilter near Osnabrück, Germany and was trained as a cabinetmaker's apprentice in Württemberg, specializing in German rococo carving, which later became popular during the Victorian Era and is known today as the Rococo Revival style. He moved to NYC in 1833, becoming a citizen in 1839. His shop "J.H. Belter and Co." was located during the years 1846-1852 at nr. 372 Broadway. He is known for developing a technique for processing laminated rosewood in many layers to achieve thin panels that, once shaped in molds through steam heating, were finely carved. This style which became very popular in NYC, was widely copied by his competitors in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.Belter died in New York City and his business was carried on by his brothers-in-law, the Springmyers. * He was in his time and remains today renowned for his laminated and carved Rococo Revival parlor and bedroom suites.furniture in this revival style was inspired by eighteenth-century French sources and is characterized by curved, cabriole legs, strong C- and S-curves and scrolls, and the extravagant use of carved, naturalistic ornament, particularly flowers. Today Belter is considered one of the defining artisans of the Rococo Revival, and his pieces are highly sought after and collectable. ref: * Vincent, Clare. “John Henry Belter Patent Parlour Furniture” Furniture History, vol. 3, 1967.
  • Attributed to:
    John Henry Belter (Maker)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 46.46 in (118 cm)Width: 77.96 in (198 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
  • Style:
    Rococo Revival (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1850
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. It has been professionally re-upholstered.
  • Seller Location:
    Hastings, GB
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: jhbeltermeridienne1stDibs: LU3311326198562

More From This Seller

View All
19th Century Renaissance Revival Giltwood Overmantle Mirror
By Thomas Chippendale
Located in Hastings, GB
A showstopping 19th century Renaissance Revival giltwood and gesso overmantle mirror of incredible proportions. Circa 1850, England This truly spectacular mirror boasts egg and...
Category

Antique 1850s English Renaissance Revival Mantel Mirrors and Fireplace M...

Materials

Gesso, Wood

Banci Firenze Gold Globe Triple Pendant Light
By Banci Firenze
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautifully decorative and very rare, gold leaf gilt Banci Firenze triple pendant light, in the form of large flower heads, the three e14 lamp holders sit behind opaque glass globes....
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Rococo Revival Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Iron

Hand Carved Wooden Sacred Heart With Red And Gilt Over Gesso 1889
Located in Hastings, GB
This beautiful Sacred Heart Sculpture dates to 1889 and would originally have hung near the altar in a German Church. The heart is crafted from wood with a gesso covering and hand pa...
Category

Antique 1880s German Rococo Revival Religious Items

Materials

Gesso, Wood

Pair of 19th Century Green Queen Anne Revival Chinoiserie Bergere Chairs
Located in Hastings, GB
An outstanding pair of circa 1890 English, Queen Anne Revival bergère armchairs, in a glorious light green paint, with applied gilt chinoiserie decoration throughout. All canework ha...
Category

Antique 1890s English Chinoiserie Bergere Chairs

Materials

Wood

Carved Gold Gilt Wood Church Sunburst Light, circa 1920
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredible early 20th century carved wooden sunburst light, originally from a chapel in Belgium, it has 3 fitted E14 lamp holders and is in exceptional antique condition. This cou...
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Baroque Revival Flush Mount

Materials

Wood

Circa 1810 Neo-gothic Giltwood Processional Cross on Orb
Located in Hastings, GB
Early 19th Century gilt wood Neo-Gothic processional cross, Germany circa 1810, mounted on an orb with carved swag detail, overlaid in gesso and gilt. A rare example of the neo-go...
Category

Antique 1810s German Gothic Revival Religious Items

Materials

Gesso, Wood

You May Also Like

Swedish Karl Johan/ Empire Meridienne/ Recamier in Carved Mahogany w/ Upholstery
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptionally beautiful Karl Johan meridienne or fainting couch with graceful curves and foliate and fleur-de-lis carvings on the mahogany frame, with upholstered back, seat and s...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Karl Johan Daybeds

Materials

Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany

English Victorian Bamboo Récamier
Located in Queens, NY
English Victorian Bamboo récamier with rush apron and open design spindle arm and paisley upholstery.
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chaise Longues

Materials

Bamboo, Upholstery

Continental Austrian Mahogany Recamier
Located in Queens, NY
Continental Austrian Empire-style (Circa 1835) small mahogany recamier with bronze eagle trim and green upholstery
Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Empire Daybeds

Materials

Bronze

French Art Deco Maple Recamier
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco maple recamier with fluted silver gilt trim and beige circle upholstery
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chaise Longues

Materials

Vermeil, Silver

English Art Deco White Cotton Recamier
By Betty Joel
Located in Queens, NY
English Art Deco maple recamier of sleigh form upholstered in white cotton with fringed edge (Attributed to BETTY JOEL)
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Daybeds

Materials

Cotton, Maple

English Regency Dark Blue Denim Récamier
Located in Queens, NY
English Regency (1st quarter 19th Century) mahogany and brass inlaid roll arm récamier with a dark blue denim upholstery.
Category

Antique 19th Century British Regency Daybeds

Materials

Brass

Recently Viewed

View All