Rosenbach Museum & Library

The Rosenbach Museum & Library is located in a 19th century town house at 2010 Delancey Place in Philadelphia. The historic house contains the collections and treasures of Philip Rosenbach and his younger brother Dr. Abraham S.W. Rosenbach. The brothers were business partners, they owned the Rosenbach Company which became the preeminent dealer of rare books, manuscripts and decorative arts during the first half of the 20th century. Dr. Rosenbach inparticular was seminal in the rare book world, helping to build libraries such as; The Widner Rare Book Library at Harvard, The Huntington Library, and the Folger Shakespeare Collection.

Decorative Arts Collections

The greater part of the house is furnished much as they lived in it, the furniture mainly 18th century English with notable examples of the work of Chippendale, Vile, Adam, Hepplewhite and Sheraton. Other important pieces include an olivewood box with bronze dore' mounts made for Charles II, and American recamier sofa with carving attributed to Samuel McIntire, and a major Philadelphia highchest. A comprehensive collection of English silver and gold of the 17th and mid-18th centuries includes masterworks by Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, and a choice group of items made for the British royal family. The more then a thousand portrait miniatures include one by Nicholas Hillard of James I, the only known portrait of Cervantes as a young man, and the renowned self-portrait of Major Andre' done shortly before his execution. Choice collections of 18th century porcelain, glass, paintings, drawings and sculpture are drawn upon to complete the furnishings.

Related Topics:
Chippendale - Vile - Adam - Hepplewhite - Sheraton - Charles II - Samuel McIntire - Highchest - Paul Storr - James I

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