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.
Metals
Metals
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FiresetBrass fire place equipment – andirons with hexagonal cone-shaped finial, on ball and hexagonal shaft, with spurred cabriole legs on ball feet. Fender, brass raised on five paw feet (37 ½” l). Brass and steel fireplace tools with ball handles (shovel and tongs) |
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FIRE SCREENc. 1800 Serpentine brass-topped screen |
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PEPPERETTEMid nineteenth century American silver pepperettes by Gorham. |
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GRIFFON SALTc. 1865 Set of four American silver salts with three griffin legs. |
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FOOT WARMERc. 1800 American wood and perforated tin foot warmer. |
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CANDLESTICKLate nineteenth century Candle stick with lamp shade. |
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IRON WAFFLEIron mold with handle. |
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PLATTERc. 1860 Pair of Victorian silver plated oval well-and-tree platters with hot water warming stands and material domes. |
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CRUETEnglish silver-plated cruet frame. |
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EPERGNEC. 1860 Silver epergne. Oak tree centered with large cut glass bowl, 3 small cut glass bowls and 3 English Foxhunt Epergne candle holders. |
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COMMEMORATIVE MEDALc. 1871 George F. Robinson medal showing scene of Seward's near assassination, April 14, 1865. |
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NAPKIN RINGc. 1860 Eight sterling silver napkin rings; all but one have decorative engraving. The rest are engraved with "S" for Seward. |
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CAKE MOLD
Six small pastry tins of various shapes - two circles. two diamonds, one oval, one heart |
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GRIDDLECircular iron griddle |
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FIRE SETMetal mesh fireplace fence with a brass rail along the top and 3 rounded brass finials |
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Gasolierc. 1850 American bronze and gilt-bronze four-light gasolier decorated with cast heads of knights. |
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Thermometerc. 1888 This table top bronze thermometer has two two saints under intricate Gothic arches. William H. Sewardy II possibly acquired this during his trip to Europe in 1888. |
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Student lampc. 1880 This American brass student lamp, originally oil and now electric, has green glass, lined globes, which are reproductions. The lamp was used by Wm. H. Seward III while he was at Yale. |
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Gilt-bronze girandolec. 1850 Three gilt-bronze girandoles on a white marble bases. Each has a gilt-bronze deer with flowers sits below the girandole on the marble base. Two of the girandole's have two candle holders while the large one has three candle holders. On each candle holder are clusters of prisms.... |
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Pair of gilt bronze candelabrasOwned by the Miller family c. 1824-1840 Pair of electrified high gilt bronze candelabras with five candle holders on each with glass boubeches. The candle holders spring from a square gilt bronze base in scroll patterns. |
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Silver plated dishEarly 20th century Silver plate, deep dish with two handles. Leaves in relief on inside of dish. Four small ball feet. |
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Silver plated candelabrasc 1840 This pair of silver plated candelabras was possibly used by the Sewards in Albany. They each have three candle holders with a center candle snuffer. The six sided base are fluted, and the detailed decorations are of ram heads and garlands. |
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Silver Filigree Ink setMid-late 19th Century Mexican, silver filigree inkstand with three containers on top (ink and sander) and 3" high silver bell engraved "Memoria de Gratitud Un Mexicano." Oval shape with inset corners, two handles and leaf and paw feet. Italian-stye filigree. Pen with gold filigree... |
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Tree Epergnec.1855-1860 English silver plated palm tree epergne. An epergne is an ornamental centerpiece, typically for a dining table, which holds fruit or flowers. The base is decorated with emus and plantings, which are removeable as are palm fronds. Ten parts in total to the epergne are... |
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Sheffield Silver Tea Setc.1835 Six piece silver tea set used by Frances and Sec. Wm. H. Seward. Includes a creamer, sugar bowl with separate top, slop jar, tea pot, coffee pot, and oval tray with two handles designed with Greek key, open work and beading with sterling silver medallion in center with Seward... |
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Printing Plates: William Henry Seward's Autobiographyc.1877-1891 These printing plates, stored in the Museum's basement, appear to be made out of solid lead and are stored in about 45 wooden crates. Includes the first volume, "Autobiography of William H. Seward, from 1801 to 1834: With a Memoir of His Life, and Selections from His Letters... |
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Bread BoxC. 1850 A tin bread box with hinged front and keyhole. These bread boxes were locked to prevent pilferage by servants. |
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MugC. 1850 Pewter mug with handles. Engraved with floral design. 4 3/4" height, 4 1/4" diameter at base. |
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Trayc. 1850 Large tin serving tray with bevelled edge. Remanants of black paint and gold striping on edge. |
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Kettlec. 1810 Large copper pot for water, coffee, tea. Porcelain knob on top with wooden grip on bail. Belonged to Judge Miller. |
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Match Holderc.1875 Tin hanging box with open work design. |
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American Silver Stein by Howard and Co, NYMid 19th century This stein on display in the Dining Room, was a wedding gift to Caroline Rees Seward, William Henry Seward's great niece, in 1885. A gift from John Jacob Astor, who is best known for being one of the richest men in America when he died aboard the Titanic in 1912. ... |
