By Rochelle Eisenberg, Art Matters, November 1999

When any exhibit is the first of it’s kind I always find it exciting. The Worldly Goods, The Arts of Early Pennsylvania, 1680-1758, on view at the Philadelphia Museum of Art through January is one of these shows. It highlights some 500 fine examples of furniture, textiles, silver, metalwork, ceramics, prints, maps, books and paintings from the Philadelphia area.

This exhibit is a lesson on the early cabinetmakers, printers, metalworkers, painters and other artisans of early Delaware Valley. As the area increased in its prosperity and sophistication, the people wanted furnishings and decorative items they could live with and enjoy. Influences of the Early Baroque in Europe are evident and the transformation into a more delicate style that emphasized balance, proportion and restrained ornamentation creates this Pennsylvania regional style of American decorative arts.

The exhibit shows the relationship between the architecture and the furniture that developed in this region. One outstanding example of furniture is the secretary desk and bookcase, circa 1740-50, made of mahogany that is shown with Chinese export ceramics in its pigeonholes. This desk descended from the Logan family of Philadelphia and is thought to have been commissioned by William Logan.

The collection of silver made in this area is astounding and is not to be missed. Pieces by the best-known silversmiths from Philadelphia such as Joseph Richardson, and Philip Syng show superior craftsmanship.

Jack Lindsey, the curator of American Decorative Arts at the Philadelphia Art Museum said it took about one and a half years of constant work and eight years from the time he first conceived of the idea to create this exhibition. As an appraiser and an admirer of early American furniture and decorative arts viewing this exhibit it is a lesson to be learned and relearned and not to be missed.