American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

The figure and costume is derived from the lithograph, “E. Forrest as Metamora,” published about 1855 by Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888). The famous Philadelphia-born actor is shown in his most famous theatrical role, first played in 1829, and revived throughout his life. “Metamora: or King of the Wampanoags” was written for Forrest by John Augustus Stone (1800-1834). Set in 17th-century New England, the play tells the story of the heroic and tragic figure of Metamora and the eventual defeat of his Wampanaogs by the Puritans.