Furniture Designer John Henry Belter

John Henry Belter was not the only furniture maker in New York City nor was he the only one utilizing Rococo Revival to create his furniture. However, there are certain techniques and motifs that he used that separated him from the rest and made him what he has become to be known to be today—one of the best Rococo Revival furniture producers of his time. First, John Henry Belter used a technique called laminating in making his furniture. He referred to it as “pressed wood”. This process is utilized to achieve ornaments. Second, Belter’s work was more elaborate compared to other cabinet makers (“History Wired” 1). The inspiration for Belters ornamentation came from the floral designers Jean Baptiste Monnayer (1634-1699) and architect Jean Lepautre (1618-1682). They were both important figures during the seventeenth century. Another source of inspiration for Belters ornamentation is the concept of realism introduced during the reign of Louis XIV which is why Louis XIV is so closely related to the Rococo Revival (Shwartz 2). The concept of realism introduced images of birds, flowers, naturalistic elements as motifs to Rococo Revival furniture—a big feature on the furniture of Belter. These naturalistic forms are details that distinguish Belter from the rest of the furniture makers in New York City.