b- Exploring the Artistic Legacy of John Henry Belter: Comparing Unique Patterns Through Chair Backs & Crests 1844-1867

This page features a single photo of a chair back in each pattern ... illustrating the core patterns developed and produced by JH Belter & Co, NYC. These patterns were utilized across his laminated seating furniture and are believed to have been in concurrent production. Chairs are usually found with a serpentine skirt, round seats are often found on higher-grade models. Found in book-matched rosewood, mahogany, oak. ------ scroll thru each pattern for current market offerings in that pattern or variant ----- Mid-century Rococo Revival: The following eighteen examples begin with Victorian era restrained minimalism (R) > to > (A) exuberant maximalism expressed in Naturalistic Victorian style (R-top of page to A-bottom of page) :

---non-reticulated---------- R- Lincoln pattern: c1870 photo The Lincoln Bedroom: White House Historical Association

Q- Scroll pattern: current auction offering: Aug 19- open arm chair w/ original bill of sale

P- Dining, open scroll:

O- Dish or Spoon back, complex curved back (found most often in Scroll pattern):

---with carved crests--------- N- Shield pattern (often w/o carved crest) (often found as dining chairs):

M- Carved Scroll pattern (aka Rosalie w/o Grapes):

L- Rosalie pattern (w/ grapes): current auction offerings: Aug 19- four pc set Aug 19- arm chair

K- Henry Clay pattern:

---reticulated (open-work) with Naturalistic carvings------- J- Etagere Chair, tall serpentine back (slipper chair) found in various patterns:

I- Patent pattern (not dish-back, but the pattern JHB patent chair was presented): Chair Patent Model | Smithsonian Institution

H- Milwaulkee pattern:

G- Tuthill King pattern: current auction offerings, both examples early applied crest / pre-pattern that had higher variations: Aug 19- unusual form, variant Aug 19- rare tete-a-tete, variant

F- Fountain Elms pattern: Side Chair – Search belter (Objects) – Search – Munson

E- Cornucopia pattern:

D- Special / Custom patterns, extensively carved (this chair example with carving loss): a most extravagant sofa Sofa | Belter, John Henry | V&A

---Often attributed to JH Belter------ C- A Rose pattern:

B- Bird w/o bird pattern: A- Bird pattern:

---------------------------- This page to be continued with named pattern origin, sofa pattern examples, etc on other blogs within this website blogs. Nevin Heller, www.circa19c.com