• Furniture: Library Table made for P. T. Barnum by Julius Dessoir
Furniture: Library Table made for P. T. Barnum by Julius Dessoir
Furniture: Library Table made for P. T. Barnum by Julius Dessoir

Furniture: Library Table made for P. T. Barnum by Julius Dessoir


Julius Dessoir (created by)
Iranistan (associated with)
P. T. Barnum (associated with)
28.5 in H X 32 in W 52 in L
Library table made of maple, ornamented with a variety of carvings, including snake- or serpent-like creatures with forked tails which appear on the "apron" of the table.  The carving of the legs follows a more traditional style, less exotic. The table was made for P. T. Barnum as part of a suite by Julius Dessoir.  The cloth-covered tabletop and the small footrest incorporated into the stretcher across the base indicates the purpose of the table being for library and writing use.  The red wool is not original to this piece, however.
Julius Dessoir was a (German) Prussian emigre who came to America in the 1840s, and was naturalized on October 19, 1852.  The first listing of his work as a cabinet maker is in the 1842-1843 New York City city directory.   His furniture making business was based on Broadway, and he became well known for elaborate furniture work.  He exhibited his work in the New York Crystal Palace of 1853.  Dessoir’s work for Barnum was done within his first decade in America, and shows not only Barnum’s taste for elaborately carved furniture, but also Dessoir’s superior skill level as a craftsman.
A suite of furniture was made for P. T. Barnum's first family home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, located on present day Fairfield Avenue.  It was designed in the Moorish revival style by Leopold Eidlitz, with additional inspiration from the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.  It was built between 1847 and 1848 at a cost of $100,000 and sat on seventeen acres of land, extensively landscaped.  In December of 1857 the mansion burned, apparently due to smoldering ashes from a workman's pipe.   The family was not occupying the home at the time, and most like the set of furniture was located elsewhere.  However contemporary notes say that precious items were saved from the burning house, so it is also possible the furniture was rescued.
Donated to the museum in 1888 by Nancy Fish Barnum.
Gift of Nancy Fish Barnum
1888.001.005