High chest by Benjamin Frothingham, Jr, 1760-1785, Charlestown, Mass., bequest of Henry Francis du Pont, 1967. Courtesy, Winterthur Museum.
WINTERTHUR, DEL. — The names evoke classic style, rich colors and distant realms: Amarillo, brazilletto, calamander, ebony, mahogany, rosewood, sabicu, satinwood and snakewood. Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library explores such hardwoods in “Exotic Woods, Masterful Makers: Tropical Hardwoods and the Luxury Furniture Trade, 1600-1850,” the Sewell C. Biggs Winterthur Furniture Forum.
The April 7-9 conference features 16 talks, with speakers from six states and two countries, and an on-stage object demonstration by a master furnituremaker, assisted by Winterthur staff. Saturday’s optional events include four workshops and a field trip to one of the world’s largest specialty lumber yards.
The experts are mostly from museums and universities, and they also include a decorative arts researcher, an antiques and decorative arts consultant, a historical society president, a furniture historian, a historic upholsterer and a cabinet maker.
The cost to participate in the forum, sponsored in part by Freeman’s, is $435 for persons who are not Winterthur members and $375 for Winterthur members and nonprofit professionals. Students and graduates of the past five years receive the discounted registration fee of $200. The fee includes Thursday and Friday lectures, lunches and breaks; and Thursday evening reception. Four optional workshops and a field trip on Saturday are $75 each. All lectures will be in Winterthur’s Visitor Center.
To register, 800-448-3883 or www.winterthur.org/furnitureforum; fax the completed registration form to 302-888-4953; or mail the completed form, with payment, to Winterthur Information and Tours Office, 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE 19735.
