: "Quebec Country Furniture," Shelburne Museum's first exhibition
dedicated to furniture from Quebec, will be open June 11-October
31. Showing about 25 pieces dating from the Seventeenth through
the Nineteenth Century. They are distinctive for their colorful
surfaces, exuberant designs and unusual forms. Recent scholarship
determined that Shelburne is home to the largest US museum
collection of furniture from Quebec.
In studying Shelburne's furniture collection, decorative arts
curator Jean Burks identified strong similarities in the forms
and painted surfaces of a group about which the museum had little
information. After further research, she concluded they were of
Quebec origin and in 2004 invited the furniture curator from the
McCord Museum in Montreal to Shelburne. Burks' findings were
supported and 35 pieces were identified as being from Quebec.
The collection includes chairs, tables, beds, cupboards and
doors. Highlights include a pair of armoire doors made around
1800 and a graceful armchair a la capucine (from a convent) made
1780-1820. The exhibition will feature traditional pieces such as
the 1750-1800 open backed Ile d'Orleans chair, an example of a
style popular in Quebec City area beginning in the early
Eighteenth Century.
Shelburne Museum is open through October 31, 10 am to 5 pm
daily. For information, 802-985-3346.
