This early 19th century sofa on display in the front passage was a gift to the museum in 2015. In the early 19th century, visitors to Hammond-Harwood House would first see this passageway. A visitor’s social class determined how far into the house they would be allowed. Social hierarchy was important to the people of this very stratified society. The passage would have been rather dark because all the doors leading to the other first floor rooms would have been closed. The passage was meant to impress visitors with its high ceiling and elaborately carved moldings. A visitor would be asked to take a seat on a sofa or chair along the wall and wait to be ushered in to see one of the Loockerman family members. A sofa like this eight-leg example likely stood in the passage. This one is made of mahogany in the style of British designer Thomas Sheraton (1751-1806). It has a carved crest rail with bellflower and acanthus decorations, attractive additions to the piece.
Baltimore, Maryland, 1815-1820 Maker: Unknown Medium: Mahogany F204 Donated by Timothy & Lesley Hackman
