A rare profusely carved laminated rosewood sofa attributed to John Henry Belter (1804 - 1863)

The laminated rosewood frame profusely carved with flowers, grapes, wheatsheaves and leaves, typical of Belter's output.

New York, circa 1850s

John Henry Belter was a German-trained cabinetmaker, who moved to New York in his 20s and became a US citizen in 1839. Between 1846-1852, JH Belter & Co was located on Broadway and was hugely successful. He developed a process where rosewood was laminated in many thin layers, then steam bent and finely carved in the German rococo fashion. There are clear resemblances to the profuse carving seen on Black Forest furniture though Belter refined his skills and adapted the style to be more appealing to an affluent American market.