A step back in time
Furniture
Furniture
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American Empire sofa1820-1830 A New York American Empire mahogany sofa with animal paw feet and scrolled arm rests decorated with carved swan heads. It is upholstered in brown velvet with two "squab" pillows. The sofa's design is similar to cornucopia sofa. |
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American Restoration rocking chair1860 American Restoration mahogany rocking chair with roll back with open arms and olive green plush upholstery. The style is considered a "Lincoln" rocker with molded back. |
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American Federal deskc. 1800 This American Federal drop panel mahogany desk has three small drawers on top, three large drawers at the bottom, a key cupboard on the right side, and a drawer of same size on the left with brass drawer pulls. The front is decorated with 1/4" inlay of lighter wood. A candle... |
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PelmetMid-19th century A pair of American Rococo pressed brass window pelmets with repousse (metal hammered into relief) shell, foliage, flower and strapwork motifs. |
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BroomsMultiple fireplace brooms exist within the Seward House. The examples here show one with a bamboo handle and another with a turned mahogany handle with both brooms useing horsehair for the bristles. |
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BellowWooden bellow has painted tulips with black border and gilt leaves. |
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American Rococo Revival mirrorMid-19th century This American Rococo Revival carved gesso and gilt framed mirror rises 7.5 feet high and just over 5 feet wide. At the top rests a human head looking down. Seward owned two of these mirrors and both were used in his Washington home from 1855-1860. Both are on display in... |
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American Rococo giltwood side chairsc. 1860 A pair of small American Rococo giltwood side chairs each with shaped crest rail and spindle back with turned legs and upholstered seats. Used in Seward's Washington home, these chairs were referred to as "wallflower" chairs which would be place around the walls in ballrooms and... |
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Gilt marble-topped tableCarved gilt marble-topped table, the top of which forms a half turtle shape. Lyre-shaped back with two curved supports extending from the base, which rests on a marble piece. Floral designs on front panel and large flowers decorate the corners and center panel at the top of the table. |
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American Rococo tablec. 1860 American Rococo carved gesso and giltwood, marble-topped table. The cabriole legs are designed with medallions and flower. The white marble top has a turtle shaped. This table was prossibly reduced in height at one point. |
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Fire screenc. 1840 American Restauration fire screen. Mahogany or walnut pierced frame with cloth screen - one side red and the other floral pattern. Standard is short with round ball, slightly turned and round base set on four ball feet. |
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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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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 This American Restoration mahogany pier table is currently on view in the library. |
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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... |
