Seal matrix
Collections:
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1620
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 x 1 3/8 in. (2.5 x 3.5 cm)
Silver Weight: 1 oz (troy) 6 dwt (40 g)
Description:
Cast circular matrix; obverse engraved with Van Rensselaer coat of arms at center (shield containing moline cross with close helmet above, flanked by foliate decoration, and crest of basket issuing flames); hinged openwork handle on reverse; part of chain attached. Star engraved on edge at top of seal. Unmarked.
INSCRIPTION: "KILIAEN VAN RENSELAER." engraved on obverse around perimeter.
Credit Line:
Gift of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer V
Object Number:
1944.258
Marks:
intaglio (inverted): on obverse: "KILIAEN VAN RENSELAER.[sic]"
Gallery Label:
This seal matrix was used to facilitate communication between Amsterdam merchant Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (ca. 1580-1643), the first patroon and founder of the colony of Rensselaerswyck, and his agents in New Netherland. The matrix's configuration and design are typical of pendant seals made in the Netherlands and England during the early seventeenth century. The cast and engraved matrix identifies its owner around the periphery and bears the family coat of arms at the center: a shield with moline cross with close helmet above, flanked by mantling, and a crest of a basket issuing flames.
Provenance:
Kiliaen Van Rensselaer (ca. 1580-1643), who married (2nd) Anna Wely (ca. 1601-1670); to their son Jeremias Van Rensselaer (1632-1674), who married Maria Van Cortlandt (1645-1689); to their son Kiliaen Van Rensselaer III (1663-1719), who married Maria Van Cortlandt (1674-ca. 1730); to their son Stephen Van Rensselaer (1707-1747), who married Elizabeth Groesbeck (1707-1756); to their son Stephen Van Rensselaer II (1742-1769), who married Catherine Livingston (1745-1810); to their son General Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764-1839), who married (2nd) Cornelia Paterson (1780-1849); to their son William Paterson Van Rensselaer (1805-1872), who married (2nd) Sarah Rogers (1810-1887); to their son Kiliaen Van Rensselaer IV (1845-1905), who married Olivia Phelps Atterbury (1848-1923); to their son Kiliaen Van Rensselaer V (1879-1949), the donor.
Bibliography:
Krohn, Deborah, Peter Miller, and Marybeth De Filippis, eds., "Dutch New York Between East and West: The World of Margrieta van Varick." New York: Bard Graduate Center, New-York Historical Society, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009, p. 178-179
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1620
eMuseum Object ID:
30887
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Serving spoon
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1871
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 8 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. ( 22.2 x 5.7 x 3.8 cm )
Description:
Molded silver serving spoon with down-turned handle with foliate scroll decoration located around shield-shaped end; handle end engraved with cipher "MAB"; scrolled shoulders and fluted shell-shaped bowl have matte finish along both obverse and reverse; maker's hallmarks stamped along underside of the handle.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Dudley Davis in memory of his mother Marie Antoinette Baker Davis
Object Number:
1950.175
Marks:
engraved: on the handle: "MAB" superimposed
stamped: on the underside of the stem: "BALL BLACK & CO" and "PATENT. 1846" incuse
Gallery Label:
This serving spoon was given to the donor's mother, Marie Antoinette Baker Davis, on the occasion of her marriage to Fellows Davis, October 17, 1871.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1871
eMuseum Object ID:
30661
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Mug
Classification:
Date:
1825-1850
Medium:
Silver plate
Dimensions:
Overall: 3 3/4 x 4 x 2 3/4 in. ( 9.5 x 10.2 x 7 cm )
Description:
Wrought and cast Sheffield silver plate mug; globular lower body with an applied cylindrical upper body flaring toward the rim; four cast bands above the body joint; seated on a circular molded foot; cast strap handle; engraved, "Sarah Livingston/ 30" in script on the center front; no maker's mark.
Object Number:
INV.14070
Marks:
engraved: center front: "Sarah Livingston/ 30" in script
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1850
eMuseum Object ID:
30400
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Souvenir spoon
Classification:
Date:
1904
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 7/8 x 1 1/4 x 3/4 in. ( 14.9 x 3.2 x 1.9 cm )
Description:
Cast silver souvenir spoon with view of Lake Champlain on inside of oval bowl; bust of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, hero of the War of 1812, and his ship, "Royal Savage," on obverse of handle; coat of arms of the State of New York on reverse of handle.
Object Number:
INV.461
Marks:
in relief: on inside of bowl: "BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH SEPT. 11, 1814."
in relief: on obverse of handle: "LAKE CHAMPLAIN," "ROYAL SAVAGE," and "COMMODORE / MACDONOUGH"
in relief: on reverse of handle: "STERLING CHAS. J. DALE PATENTED" and "EXCELSIOR"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1904
eMuseum Object ID:
30178
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Table forks (2)
Classification:
Date:
1853-1869
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
each overall: 8 1/2 x 1 1/8 x 1 3/8 in. ( 21.6 x 2.9 x 3.5 cm )
Description:
Pair of silver table forks with upturned fiddle thread handles; Beekman family crest, wings addorsed on fess over an armor helmet, engraved on the upsides of the handles; "B" in foliate script engraved on the undersides of the handles; flared shoulders and four curved tines; maker's marks stamped on the undersides of the handles.
Credit Line:
Permanent Loan of the Beekman Family Association
Object Number:
1950.114ab
Marks:
engraved: on the underside of the handles: "B" in foliate script
stamped: on the undersides of the stems: "J" in a circle, star in a circle, "P" in a circle beside, "TIFFANY & Co. STERLING"
Provenance:
New-York Historical Society
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1869
eMuseum Object ID:
30023
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Chatelaine
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1675
Medium:
Silver, metal
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 3/4 x 5 1/2 x 1/2 in. ( 4.4 x 14 x 1.3 cm )
Description:
Silver shield-shaped chatelaine with a cast lion's head (possibly was gilt) screwed onto the center of the shield; two metal hooks soldered to the reverse; chain soldered to the left side and is made of wide round links and narrow ribbed circular links; marked "BL" in conforming rectangle on the right top of obverse.
Object Number:
INV.3905
Marks:
struck: right top obverse: "BL" in conforming rectangle
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1675
eMuseum Object ID:
29986
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Medal
Classification:
Date:
1817
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in. ( 3.8 x 3.8 cm )
Description:
Silver pendant medal; flat diamond shape with small hanging loop at top; edges have machined wriggle work decoration; obverse has engraved Greek symbols for Pi, Theta, and Epsilon at center; reverse has engraved initials and date; three small holes punched at each side and at base.
Credit Line:
Bequest of Clarissa P. Jacocks
Object Number:
INV.318
Marks:
engraved: on obverse, Greek symbols for Pi, Theta and Epsilon
engraved: on reverse: "CPB" and "1817"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1817
eMuseum Object ID:
29761
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Coffee spoons (4)
Classification:
Date:
1793/94
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
each overall: 5 1/8 x 1 x 5/8 in. ( 13 x 2.5 x 1.6 cm )
Description:
Four silver coffee spoons with downturned handles with short splayed midribs on the undersides and the engraved initials, "EP" in script on the fronts; pointed oval bowls with tipped drops; maker's marks stamped on the undersides of the handles.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. George Edward Cornell
Object Number:
1932.118a-d
Marks:
engraved: on the handles: "EP" in script
stamped: on the undersides of the handles: "GS/ WF" in a rectangle, lion passant, "S" in a rectangle, king's bust in an oval
Gallery Label:
These coffee spoons belonged to Edward Plummer, a Quaker elder and a relation of the donor's family.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1794
eMuseum Object ID:
29516
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Mustard spoon
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1840
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 5 1/2 x 1 x 7/8 in. ( 14 x 2.5 x 2.2 cm )
Description:
silver mustard spoon with a downturned fiddle handle with a short splayed midrib on the underside and the engraving, "Standerwick" in script on the front; flared shoulders and a circular bowl; maker's mark stamped on the underside of the handle.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Robert G. Goelet
Object Number:
1971.30
Marks:
engraved: on the handle: "Standwick" in script
stamped: on the underside of the handle: "WOOD & FORCE" in a rectangle
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1840
eMuseum Object ID:
29446
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Teaspoon
Classification:
Date:
ca. 1775
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 4 1/2 x 7/8 x 5/8 in. ( 11.4 x 2.2 x 1.6 cm )
Description:
Silver teaspoon with oval bowl with molded basket with a single flower on reverse; oval handle, flat in profile, with slightly downturned tip; rounded drop; stamped maker's mark on reverse.
Credit Line:
Gift of Robert G. Goelet
Object Number:
1971.41
Marks:
stamped: on reverse: "LYNG" (in rectangle) followed by "N. YORK" (in rectangle)
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1775
eMuseum Object ID:
29348
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
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