The Charles Parker Company (American, established 1832). <em>Table</em>, ca. 1880. Brass, other metals, wood, fabric, 29 x 19 x 17 1/2 in. (73.7 x 48.3 x 44.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.12.1_view2_bw.jpg)

The Charles Parker Company (American, established 1832). Table, ca. 1880. Brass, other metals, wood, fabric, 29 x 19 x 17 1/2 in. (73.7 x 48.3 x 44.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.12.1_view2_bw.jpg)

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Table

Decorative Arts and Design

How do curators know who made an object? In many instances, unfortunately, the maker is unknown. However, curators have ways to establish the maker of an object. For example, they can look to a period catalogue or advertisement a description or illustration, or there may be an affinity with a documented piece that permits a reasonable attribution. Rarely, a piece, is marked or signed by the artist or manufacturer. In the case of this table, a printed paper label has survived on the underside of the tabletop. It identifies the manufacturer, the Charles Parker Company, a little-known firm that produced art brass, focusing on lighting fixtures and small occasional furniture.

MAKER The Charles Parker Company, American, established 1832

MEDIUM Brass, other metals, wood, fabric

DATES ca. 1880

DIMENSIONS 29 x 19 x 17 1/2 in. (73.7 x 48.3 x 44.5 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS on paper label glued to bottom of table: THE CHAS> PARKER CO./ (A) RTISTIC BRONZE GOODS(S)

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 85.12.1

CREDIT LINE H. Randolph Lever Fund

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION The Charles Parker Company (American, established 1832). Table, ca. 1880. Brass, other metals, wood, fabric, 29 x 19 x 17 1/2 in. (73.7 x 48.3 x 44.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 85.12.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.12.1_view2_bw.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 85.12.1_view2_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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