--- title: "In Plain Sight: Discovering the Furniture of Nathaniel Gould" date: 2014-11-15T00:00:00-05:00 author: Caroline Herr canonical_url: "https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/in-plain-sight-discovering-the-furniture-of-nathaniel-gould" section: Exhibitions --- ![In Plain Sight: Discovering the Furniture of Nathaniel Gould](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/exInPlainSight_3600_01.jpg) Past Exhibition # In Plain Sight: Discovering the Furniture of Nathaniel Gould On view November 15, 2014 to March 29, 2015 [Become a member](/membership) Today's hours: 10 am–5 pm Monday 10 am–5 pm Tuesday Closed Wednesday Closed Thursday 10 am–5 pm Friday 10 am–5 pm Saturday 10 am–5 pm Sunday 10 am–5 pm ## Once an obscure figure in American furniture history, Nathaniel Gould is now recognized as Salem's premier 18th-century cabinetmaker. New scholarship, based on the recent discovery of his detailed account ledgers and daybooks, has led to the identification and re-attribution of many pieces of furniture, including monumental desks and bookcases, bombé chests and scalloped top tea tables carved from the finest imported mahogany. Gould's work is distinguished by its careful attention to graining, distinctive carved ball-and-claw feet, extended knee returns and superbly carved pinwheels and scallop seashells. *In Plain Sight* presents 20 exemplary works of Gould's furniture alongside paintings, archival materials, decorative arts and digital media elements that provide insight into the makers and consumers of 18th-century American design and culture. This exhibition was organized by the Peabody Essex Museum with major support from: The Americana Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, Nancy and George Putnam, Richard C. von Hess Foundation. Generous support provided by: Jonathan B. Loring, Robert and Elizabeth Owens, Skinner Inc. Support provided by the East India Marine Associates of the Peabody Essex Museum. Additional support provided by many individual donors to the Four Centuries of Massachusetts Furniture. ![In Plain Sight: Discovering the Furniture of Nathaniel Gould book](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/Ex_InPLainSight_book.png) ### Exhibition catalogue In the field of early American furniture made in Massachusetts, Nathaniel Gould has loomed as something of a mystery—believed to have been prolific, handsomely skilled, and exceptionally enterprising. This book establishes Gould unquestionably as Salem’s leading cabinetmaker before and during the period of the American Revolution. [Shop now](https://shop.pem.org/products/in-plain-sight-discovering-the-furniture-of-nathaniel-gould) ## Keep exploring ![American Art: Traditions Transformed](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/Exhibition_AmericanDecorative_SHARE_2_3600px.jpg) Exhibition American Art: Traditions Transformed Ongoing [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/american-art-traditions-transformed) ![Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/Ex_SamualMcintyre_1800_Share.jpg) Past Exhibition Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style October 13, 2007 to February 24, 2008 [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/samuel-mcintire-carving-an-american-style) ![A Passion for American Art: Selections from the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Collection](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/pem-org/general/Ex_PassionAmericanArts_1800_share.jpg) Past Exhibition A Passion for American Art: Selections from the Carolyn and Peter Lynch Collection May 11, 2019 to February 2, 2020 [Learn more](https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/a-passion-for-american-art-selections-from-the-carolyn-and-peter-lynch-collection) Stay up to date. Enter your email to sign up for our newsletter.