Property of a Florida Gentleman

Wharton Esherick (American 1887-1970)
Sheet Music Stand, 1962
Cherry wood
Signed and dated, incised “W.E. 1962”
H. 44 in.; W. 17.5 in.

Wharton Esherick was a pioneer of the Studio Craft Movement. He is famous for his sensitively crafted hand carved furniture, which exudes a sensuous fluidity. The original model for this music stand was produced in 1951 for a cellist friend, and it is said that Esherick thoughtfully included a shelf to hold her drink. The design was later replicated with the help of a studio assistant. Twenty- four were produced, of which this is one.

The form remains the most iconic and sought-after of Esherick’s works.
Literature: For another example, see E. Cooke, Jr., G. Ward and K.H. L’Ecuyer, The Maker’s Hand: American Studio Furniture, 1940-1990, Boston, 2003, p. 24
See M. Bascom. Wharton Esherick: The Journey of a Creative Mind, New York, 2010, pp. 199 and 261 for an image of a music stand of this design.
An almost identical example is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

$15,000-25,000
Provenance: A Philadelphia Teacher/Artist who moved to Jacksonville Florida in the mid 1980's, to the present owner, 2013.

Condition is Excellent. The cherrywood retains a warm mellow patina. The wooden dowels which attach the rear leg to the lower horizontal section of this stand are original to the construction of the piece. The juncture in this area is slightly loose ( the juncture is not tight) and needs to be glued and clamped.