Window Cornice

Overview Window Cornice American ca. 1825 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774 This window cornice dates from about 1825. The cornice is made of painted and gilded wood. In the center, in a gilt-edged frame, is painted a village scene. Flanking the central motif are stylized acanthus leaf designs. Painted window cornices, such as this one, served either to conceal raised Venetian blinds or to anchor the tops of draperies. Always sold in sets, they were often painted with matching ornamental motifs, such as the village scene that adorns the present example.

(See 66.164.1, .2 for pair.)