The Maryland room, a late 1830s parlor in a wealthy household, is designed to show a family member entertaining guests on the Grand harmonicon. Harmonicons had been popular in wealthy circles since the 18th century, when composers like Mozart and Beethoven composed music for it. Period sheet music for the harmonicon is displayed on the music stand. Perhaps the most visually striking decorative feature of the room is the scenic wallpaper. Though most scenic wallpapers are block printed, this example is hand painted. Made in France, this paper shows one of the many uprisings in Paris during the 1830s. |