Extravagance, Eclecticism, and Eastern Influence
A glimpse into the turn of the 20th century for America's collecting class.
How the Gilded Age Came to Be
The Gilded Age—a period of time that spanned from the 1870s to the early 1900s—marked a moment in history when industrialization, consolidation, and the growth of American cities all coincided, creating enormous wealth for some and abject poverty for others. Before industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and J.P. Morgan were household names, they were spearheading this rapid growth in the American economy, and America’s collecting class began amassing art and objects that reflected their newfound prosperity.
The style of the day borrowed heavily from influences outside of the United States: quintessential Gilded Age works hearken back to ancient Greece or revived Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque aesthetics. The wealthiest members of Gilded Age society considered themselves America’s royalty, and in many ways they were right—it was a moment in time when industrialists and the country’s elites enjoyed more political power than politicians themselves.
All that Glitters is Gold
Occupying such a pivotal role in society, it comes as no surprise that the interiors of wealthy Gilded Age homes were lush and grandiose, filled with opulent works and fashioned after interiors like Versailles. This included pieces that were literally gilded, like Italian Rococo carved giltwood console tables. Smaller decorative elements would have brightened these grand estates, such as a Napoleon III figural mantel clock.
These objects didn’t serve merely a decorative purpose, however; many Gilded Age works reflected the extravagant entertaining culture of the era. From Austrian Art Nouveau enameled glass wine glasses with gilded and intricately shaped elements to a classic sterling silver flatware service in the King Edward pattern, many design objects emphasized socializing in style. Pieces like an extensive porcelain dinner service—comprising around 155 pieces, from soup bowls to tureens—are fit for the most elaborate of dinner parties.
Gilded Age Fascinations: Eclecticism and Orientalism
Though much of the style of the Gilded Age was influenced by ancient and Renaissance styles throughout Europe, Gilded Age sensibilities were also shaped by Asian art and design. In amassing their artistic collections and cultivating their domestic space, wealthy Americans at the turn of the twentieth century sought works from further afield—ones that would speak to a kind of cultured worldliness.
Chinese Export porcelain, extremely popular with Gilded Age collectors, was made by Chinese artisans specifically for Western audiences from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries—illustrating the global exchanges at play during this time period. Works like impressive armorial chargers were treasured among American audiences and often passed down within families for generations.
Works from other areas within Asia were also in steady demand during the period, including sumptuous Persian rugs. Freeman’s has brought many such rugs to market, including a Mohtasham Kashan carpet likely crafted at the height of the era from the Estate of Gabriele Lee, the late prominent Philadelphian supporter of the arts. Freeman’s has also offered Senneh, Heriz, and Oushak designs, among others, speaking to the eclectic collecting styles and worldly interests of America’s collectors at the turn of the twentieth century.