Most of the world would be surprised to know how few of our thoughts are really original with ourselves. What we write and say is, for the most part, a kind of mosaic interweaving of ideas and recollections gathered together out of other people’s talk or books. The combination and rearrangement of them is about all we can call our own. When a man does really evolve an original thought out of his own mind, it is the exception, rather than the rule. It is usually the fruit, either of patient study, or of fresh and vivid experience.
Furniture
Furniture
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Swiss ClockC 1860 Clock carved from a single log by an old Swiss soldier. Carved with a scene of a hunter and three dogs chasing a deer around the circular clock base. The clock has white Roman numerals and white hands. Purchased during William H. Seward 1871 post-retirement trip to Europe. |
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Music Box ChairLate 19th Century Acquired by Wm. H. Seward II while traveling in Europe in 1888. Walnut carved and inlaid music box chair. Carved in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Naturalistic twig-carved openwork back centering a stag on inlaid navette-shaped medallion. Serpentine seat with circular... |
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Bronze Centaur BookendsLate 19th Century Pair of bronze centaur bookends on rectangular marble bases. Currently located in the library.
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Mantle Clock, Ansonia Clock Co. of New Yorkc. 1870 Louis XV style metal clock. Painted red and black to resemble marble with gilt ornament. Includes a white china face with black Roman numerals. Stands on four gilt bronze feet. |
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Mahogany Pier Tablec. 1839 Currently on view in the library. American Restoration mahogany pier table with white marble top. |
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Sinumbra LampMid 19th Century Gilt base over metal, glass shade, both clear and frosted with square topped prisms. Electrified. Possibly made in England by the Messenger Co. due to the decorations. No signatures or model numbers to be found on it. |
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American Empire Mirrorc. 1810 American Empire gilt-framed pier mirror. A miller familiy item currently located in the parlor. This mirror is from the Seward's Washington home. Includes a matching mirror currently located in the drawing room. Mirrors: Left of entrance: Miller family item; American Empire.... |
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French-style Gilt Chairsc. 1850 The French-style gilt furniture is from Seward’s home in Washington DC on Lafayette Square, across from the White House. Seward rented the home, known as the “Old Clubhouse,” during the 8 years he served as Secretary of State, early 1861 through March 1869. Foreign ambassadors and... |
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Robert Nunns, Clark & Co. Pianofortec. 1834 Robert Nunns, Clark & Company. rosewood square fortepiano. These pianos were very popular from 1800-1860 and were considered luxury items both used and new for white, middle class Americans. |
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Japanese Gaming Tablec.1870 Japanese inlaid teakwood circular table. Includes a inlay of geometric motifs including "rising sun" design. Raised on a cylindrical post with four scalloped braces at the top and circular, molded base. Old gilt edge to top. Obtained by Secretary Seward on trip around the world... |
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German Paper Mâché Globec. 1860 German relief globe made of paper mâché. Was used by Seward in his office at the Department of State. Seward would have received this globe and used it to connect with other officials abroad, and found inspiration for his expansionist ideas during the Johnson administration. |
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Steinway & Sons Patent Grand Piano19th century Steinway and Sons rosewood "Patent" grand piano. Given to Janet Watson Seward by Wm. H. Seward II in 1872 on her 33rd birthday. |
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Tiffany & Co. Finger Bowlc. 1872 Favrile glass finger bowl by Louis Comfort Tiffany, son of Tiffany & Co. President Charles Lewis Tiffany, an American artist and designer in the 19th and 20th Centuries. We do not know much about the circumstances surrounding the purchase of this finger bowl, but we do know... |
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The Miller's Cradle
c. 1772 A cherry cradle with solid bottom. Headboard higher, but same design as footboard. Open hand grips on each side. Short rockers. Cradle used by Elijah Miller. |
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Watchie's Benchc.1856 A wooden bench; 9" x 30" x 8" Inscribed on top: "This marks the memory of our pet. Our Watchie was a faithful guardian and a dear friend" Died: April 22 1856 / 3 years 11 months / |
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Carthage Mosaic Round Tablec. 1855 An American Rococo Gothic walnut marble-top table. Marble top has a scene with a horse and a palm tree in yellow, red and gray in a circular center with the inscription "Carthago Delenda Est." Top of table has a Gothic fret-carved border with turned pendants, on a leaf-carved... |
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American Empire Wall MirrorC. 1830 American Empire gilt framed mirror with turned columns on sides. Includes round, gilt balls at top and heavy cornice. Glass in 2 sections with gilt moulding divider 1/3 of the way down. |
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Tin Sitz bathDate Unknown American tin sitz bath with wooden handles. |
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Paulina Miller's Rocking Chairc. 1820 Rocking chair with 3 slats on back and rush seat. Arms ending in slight scroll. Short rockers. Chair is painted black with yellow line trim. Chair belonged to Judge Elijah Miller's mother, Pauline Titus Miller. |
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Spindle-back Chairc. 1820 American painted (black) 3 spindle-back side chair with rush seat (broken). From the Miller estate. |
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Work TableDate Unknown Wooden table with square legs. Top is covered with carpeting. Now in basement as work table. |
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Windsor-style Chairc. 1830 Green windsor-style spindle-back plank seat Chairs |
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Congressional Desk from Federal Hallc. 1789 This desk is one of only 24 known to still exist today. It was used by the delegates of Federal Hall in New York City circa 1789. Used at George Washington’s inauguration. That Federal Hall building had originally been constructed between 1699 and 1702 as the third location of New... |
