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- George Washington built Woodlawn Plantation in 1805 for
his nephew, Lawrence Lewis, and his wife, Nelly Custis, Martha's
granddaughter. The sofa was at Woodlawn until the 1940's when
it was given to the National Trust. It was deaccessioned then
because it could not be determined for certain that it
was one of the original furnishings. It dates to the 1790's so
it is perfectly plausible that it was. It is mahogany with birch
secondary wood (by microanalysis). It is definitely of American
manufacture although it is difficult to localize it. What makes
it extraordinary is the size. It is only 65" in length.
Very few American sofas are known that are less than five and
a half feet in length. The present horse hair upholstery, although
it is quite worn, is only the second and could date to the early
to mid-19th
century. The old color and surface of the mahogany is very attractive.
There is a molded edge and small decorative turned disc carvings
on the crest rail.
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- Dimensions are: L. 65" H.
36" D.26"
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- $ 16,500.
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- (additional photos below)
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