Collection Highlights
Pierre Toussaint (ca. 1781-1853)
Date:
ca. 1825
Object Number:
1920.4
Medium:
Watercolor on ivory
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Gavel
Object Number:
1947.297
Date:
1894
Medium:
Wood, ivory
Dimensions:
Overall: 9 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. ( 23.2 x 7 x 4.8 cm )
Marks:
carved: around center of head: "SUPERIOR COURT"
carved: on one flat end of head: "This gavel is / presented to / KATHARINE MORTON LEXOW / as a symbol of the / authority wielded / so ably and impartially by / her Husband / Clarence Lexow. / while chairm
Description:
Gavel with ivory head and wooden handle; the head resembles turned wood, the handle is narrow at the neck and slightly wider and rounded at the bottom; the center of the head and one flat end of the head have carved inscriptions.
Gallery Label:
This ceremonial gavel honors New York senator Clarence Lexow. Lexow chaired an 1894 senate committee investigation into the corrupt practices of the New York City police department. The investigation focused on exposing Tammany Hall corruption, and it uncovered illegal activity, physical brutality, and election rigging. Because of its findings, Tammany was defeated in that year's municipal elections.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. Morton Lexow
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
