Desk
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1788
Medium:
Mahogany; pine
Dimensions:
Overall: 29 1/2 x 34 5/8 x 71 in. ( 74.9 x 87.9 x 180.3 cm )
Description:
Mahogany Federal pedestal desk used in Federal Hall; veneered mahogany top screwed into rails and medial braces from below; two banks of drawers flanking central drawer, each bank consists of three graduated drawers supported on four tapered columnar legs with stop-fluting and bulbous feet, three carved bosses on stiles above legs; false drawer fronts on opposite side; three scratch-beaded panels on sides of desk mirror drawer fronts, filled-in holes on sides are evidence of removed brasses; each drawer has what appear to be original brass bail handles and lock with brass keyhole; possible repairs to top and inner case structure with newer wood.
Credit Line:
Gift of the Corporation of the City of New York
Object Number:
1837.1
Gallery Label:
This desk (and a mate, 1837.2) is among the surviving furnishings from Federal Hall, the home of the first United States Congress located at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. Federal Hall was remodeled for that purpose in 1788 by the French-born architect and engineer Pierre L'Enfant, who may have influenced the design of the furniture created for the government officials. The original furnishings, used by Congress for less than a year, were still stored in the building when the New-York Historical Society was headquartered there in 1809. Founder John Pintard petitioned the Common Council for use of six semi-circular tables, and they agreed. In 1837, the city donated two of the tables, two pedestal desks, two desks used by members of Congress, and four armchairs to the Historical Society.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1788
eMuseum Object ID:
27374
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Dressing glass: plant motif w/two women's figure
Classification:
Highlight:
Not promoted
Date:
1850-1860
Medium:
Bronze, glass, gilding
Dimensions:
Overall: 21 x 14 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. ( 53.3 x 36.8 x 16.5 cm )
Description:
Oval dressing glass with gilded bronze frame and stand; frame is swivel-mounted between two full-length female figures (Jenny Lind) that stand upon the branches of a stylized tree with an American flag and a shield on either side of its triangular trunk; stand is screw-mounted to foliate base.
Credit Line:
Gift of Leonidas Westervelt
Object Number:
1945.257
Gallery Label:
According to the accession records, this dressing glass came with a white marble base; however, it does not appear that the metal stand was designed to be permanently mounted to any surface.
Provenance:
The Jenny Lind Collection of Leonidas Westervelt
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1860
eMuseum Object ID:
27372
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Mirror
Classification:
Date:
1890-1920
Medium:
Mahogany veneer, softwood, glass, gilding
Dimensions:
Overall: 35 x 27 x 1 5/8 in. ( 88.9 x 68.6 x 4.1 cm )
Description:
Rectangular mirror in mahogany veneer frame with two narrow linear bands of gilding outlining inner and outer edges; mirror plate surrounded by molded border with gilding; hinges attached to one side of frame.
Object Number:
Z.950
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1920
eMuseum Object ID:
27371
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
High chest
Classification:
Date:
1690-1720
Medium:
Walnut, pine
Dimensions:
Overall: 52 x 41 1/2 x 20 7/8 in. ( 132.1 x 105.4 x 53 cm )
Description:
Walnut and pine William & Mary high chest of drawers; pine upper case with cyma-curve cornice molding, two shorter drawers over three graduated drawers all separated by half-round molding; walnut lower case with long drawer over five inverted baluster-shaped legs with flat scrolled front and side stretchers, straight rear stretcher and ball feet; brass circular mounts with teardrop-shaped handles and pierced escutcheons; upper and lower cases probably married, upper case probably originally painted or stained.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair
Object Number:
1944.197
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1720
eMuseum Object ID:
27369
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Secretary
Classification:
Date:
1800-1815
Medium:
Mahogany; pine, poplar
Dimensions:
Overall: 96 x 49 x 23 in. ( 243.8 x 124.5 x 58.4 cm )
Description:
Mahogany Federal secretary; upper case has open fret work broken scroll pediment centering a brass urn-and-flame finial on a plinth inlaid with lily-of-the-valley; molded cornice with vertical inlaid stripes above section with inlaid stripes at sides and center and two inlaid stars; glazed doors with mullions arranged in geometric diamond and square pattern; upper case rests within restraining molding on lower case with desk drawer with stringed oval inlays with bail handles on oval mounts at center, and plain diamond panel at center of drawer; front of drawer opens to reveal interior with prospect drawer flanked by document drawers flanked by banks with four drawers above pigeon holes with serpentine valences; cabinet below desk drawer has two doors with stringed inlay circles opening to reveal three drawers with plain bail handles (not original); French feet.
Credit Line:
Bequest of Mary MacKaye Greenwood
Object Number:
1969.8
Gallery Label:
According to the donor, this secretary was originally owned by Dr. John Greenwood (1760-1819) of New York, and then his daughter Jane Weaver Greenwood Ross Langdon (1789-1861).
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1815
eMuseum Object ID:
27358
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Desk
Classification:
Date:
1770-1800
Medium:
Birch, pine
Dimensions:
Overall: 43 x 44 x 22 1/2 in. ( 109.2 x 111.8 x 57.2 cm )
Description:
Chippendale slant-top desk with reverse serpentine front; hinged slant top opens to rest on two lopers; interior consists of horizontal row of three drawers with carved rosettes separated by two pairs of pigeonholes with serpentine valences, all over horizontal row of three small drawers separated by two long drawers, all over projecting horizontal row of two long drawers flanking a long open file, possibly originally filled with a long drawer; case contains four graduated drawers with reverse-serpentine fronts and brass bail handles and escutcheons; central pendent shell and short cabriole legs with ball-and-claw feet and carved brackets; dovetails visible on top of case; desk refinished.
Credit Line:
Gift of Louise Grove
Object Number:
1963.170
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1800
eMuseum Object ID:
27352
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Card table
Classification:
Date:
1830-1840
Medium:
Mahogany; oak, poplar
Dimensions:
closed: 29 5/8 x 36 x 19 1/2 in. ( 75.2 x 91.4 x 49.5 cm )
Description:
Mahogany Empire card table; square pivot top with rounded corners, veneered border, and band of veneer surrounding edge; halves of top joined by two leaf-edge tenons; apron with figured mahogany veneer and rectangular panels of light wood (possibly maple) veneer wrapping around the corners; raised on four turned and carved legs above a horizontal base with incurving sides supported on four scrolling paw feet with casters.
Credit Line:
Purchase, Abbott-Lenox Fund
Object Number:
1979.108
Gallery Label:
This table once belonged to Eliza Livingston (1808-1864), who married Charles W. Lynde in 1834. A portrait of Eliza by Albany artist Ezra Ames is in the Historical Society collection (1979.107).
Provenance:
Purchased by NYHS from Knickerbocker Antiques in 1979.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1840
eMuseum Object ID:
27346
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Card table
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1820-1825
Medium:
Mahogany; pine, oak
Dimensions:
closed: 30 x 37 x 19 in. ( 76.2 x 94 x 48.3 cm )
Description:
Mahogany Empire card table; square pivot top with rounded corners, double molded edge, and two halves joined by a single leaf-edge tenon; apron with carved front corner panels and gadrooning on lower front edge; cylindrical pedestal on molded square plinth supported on shaped horizontal base with gadrooning above four carved paw feet on casters.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Estelle de Peyster Hosmer
Object Number:
1945.122
Gallery Label:
This card table belonged to New Yorker Frederic de Peyster (1790-1882). It is similar to labeled examples by Philadelphia cabinetmaker Anthony G. Quervelle.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1825
eMuseum Object ID:
27345
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
One of a pair of side chairs
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1855-1860
Medium:
Rosewood, textile
Dimensions:
Overall: 33 3/4 x 17 1/2 x 16 in. ( 85.7 x 44.4 x 40.6 cm )
Description:
Oval-back side chairs with floral marquetry inlay, laminated back; round seat with oval inlay on seat rail, curving front legs and splayed rear legs.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. George W. Cane
Object Number:
1952.88a
Gallery Label:
According to the donor, this chair and its mate were used in the New York City home of her parents. A similar chair is in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum (1990.197).
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1860
eMuseum Object ID:
27344
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Card table
Classification:
Date:
1795-1805
Medium:
Mahogany, satinwood; poplar
Dimensions:
closed: 28 1/2 x 35 3/4 x 18 in. ( 72.4 x 90.8 x 45.7 cm )
Description:
Mahogany Federal card table with satinwood inlay; circular top with a single band of stringing, edges with veneer banding, and halves joined by a single leaf-edge tenon; apron with three inlaid rectangles of stringing framed by inlaid bookend panels above four tapering, squared front legs, each with inlaid icicle, stringing, and cuff; fifth leg (a fly leg) without icicle inlay.
Credit Line:
Bequest of Irving S. Olds
Object Number:
1963.102
Marks:
Signature: in chalk on underside of table: "Edward Rogers"
Gallery Label:
This card table is similar in design to a table in the collection of Benjamin A. Hewitt (illustrated in "The Work of Many Hands," Yale, 1982), which was apparently manufactured in Providence, Rhode Island, and sold in New York by George Shipley, a wholesaler of materials and a retailer of finished goods, including furniture.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1805
eMuseum Object ID:
27343
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Pages
