Flat Jane Austen in Providence, Rhode Island

  Flat Jane Austen Visits Providence, Rhode Island:
In which she pays calls on the elite

Editor's Note: All photos taken inside the Rhode Island School of Design Museum's Pendelton House.

Not all these objects belonged to one family or were displayed at the same time. This room is set up to resemble the donor's library c. 1900. The Rococo furniture is period but window cornices, chandelier, overmantel mirror and settee date to 1900.

"Mr. Allin's library is furnished in the older Rococo style. The solid color walls and Oriental carpet mark this room as older in style, from the last century. 

 I see much furniture but no books! Most of the furniture is American made from the last century. The desk and bookcase was made in Newport, a city in the southern end of the state on the ocean. Mr. John Goddard built the case from mahogany, cedar, yellow poplar and pine. 

The bureau table and tall clock come from Newport as well. Some of the other furniture comes from Philadelphia. Newport and Philadelphia seem to have been centers of Chippendale style furniture making.

ignore the 1850s valances and look at the portrait of Sarah Prince Gill 
1764 by John Singleton Copley

Somehow Mr. Allin has managed to acquire some American portraits as well. Some are by John Singleton Copley. I have heard of him! He lived in London, near Henry and died but a year or so ago.

John Singleton Copley, Governor Moses Gill, 1764

This room also features some Chinese export porcelain! 

The barometer comes from Holland. What a peculiar mix of styles!

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