Charleston, SC – Southern Masterpieces speaks to the growing national interest in fine and decorative art of the South.  Featuring The Rivers Collection of significant Lowcountry furniture and silver arranged within the context of paintings and sculpture from the Gibbes Museum of Art permanent collection and select objects from public and private collections, Southern Masterpieces offers a comprehensive exploration of Charleston's taste and refinement from the eighteenth through the early nineteenth century through its material culture.  Southern Masterpieces is sponsored by Charleston Magazine.

Recognizing that significant pieces of Charleston furniture and silver were dispersing outside the Charleston area, John M. Rivers, Jr. whose family has been in Charleston continuously since 1670, began forming The Rivers Collection in 1988.  Instilled with the same spirit possessed by E. Milby Burton, former director of the Charleston Museum and author of the groundbreaking publication entitled Charleston Furniture: 1700-1825, Mr. Rivers has effectively supplemented the work of public museums in an effort to preserve the rich heritage of Charleston and the surrounding region.  Southern Masterpieces will offer the first public showing of objects from this collection.

Southern Masterpieces: Charleston Before 1835 on view February 9 – April 29, 2007, features selections from The Rivers Collection.

GIBBES MUSEUM OF ART
Established as the Carolina Art Association in 1858, the Gibbes Museum of Art opened its doors to the public in 1905. Located in Charleston’s historic district, the Gibbes houses a premier collection of over 10,000 works of fine art, principally American works with a Charleston or Southern connection and presents 12-15 special exhibitions annually.  In addition, the museum offers an extensive complement of public programming and educational outreach initiatives.  Visit : www.gibbesmuseum.org