Metals

Fireset

Brass 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)

FIRE SCREEN

c. 1800

Serpentine brass-topped screen

PEPPERETTE

Mid nineteenth century

American silver pepperettes by Gorham.

GRIFFON SALT

c. 1865

Set of four American silver salts with three griffin legs.

FOOT WARMER

c. 1800

American wood and perforated tin foot warmer.

CANDLESTICK

 Late nineteenth century

Candle stick with lamp shade. 

IRON WAFFLE

Iron mold with handle.

PLATTER

c. 1860 

Pair of Victorian silver plated oval well-and-tree platters with hot water warming stands and material domes.

CRUET

English silver-plated cruet frame.

EPERGNE

C. 1860

Silver epergne. Oak tree centered with large cut glass bowl, 3 small cut glass bowls and 3 English Foxhunt Epergne

candle holders.

COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL

c. 1871

George F. Robinson medal showing scene of Seward's near assassination, April 14, 1865.

NAPKIN RING

c. 1860

Eight sterling silver napkin rings; all but one have decorative engraving. The rest are engraved with "S" for Seward.

CAKE MOLD

 

Six small pastry tins of various shapes - two circles. two diamonds, one oval, one heart

GRIDDLE

Circular iron griddle

FIRE SET

Metal mesh fireplace fence with a brass rail along the top and 3 rounded brass finials

American bronze and gilt-bronze four-light gasolier decorated with cast heads of knights.

Gasolier

c. 1850

American bronze and gilt-bronze four-light gasolier decorated with cast heads of knights.

This table top bronze thermometer has two two saints under intricate Gothic arches

Thermometer

c. 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.

This American brass student lamp, originally oil and now electric, has green glass, lined globes, which are reproductions

Student lamp

c. 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.

Gilt-bronze girandole on a white marble bases. A gilt-bronze deer with flowers sits below the girandole on the marble base. three candle holders with prisms around the holders

Gilt-bronze girandole

c. 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....

 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.

Pair of gilt bronze candelabras

Owned 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.

Silver plate, deep dish with two handles.  Leaves in relief on inside of dish.  Four small ball feet.

Silver plated dish

Early 20th century

Silver plate, deep dish with two handles.  Leaves in relief on inside of dish.  Four small ball feet.

silver plated candleabra with three candle holders and  center with candle snuffer.  Fluted stem with six sided base.   Decorated with ram heads and garlands.

Silver plated candelabras

c 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.

A inset comprised of silver filigree.

Silver Filigree Ink set

Mid-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...

 silver plated palm tree epergne. base with palm tree, two emus, one long palm frond, three branches with clusters of coconuts, one small piece with three coconuts, and two palm leaves clusters.

Tree Epergne

c.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...

six piece silver tea set Includes a creamer, sugar bowl with separate top, slop jar, tea pot, coffee pot, and oval tray with two handles

Sheffield Silver Tea Set

c.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...

Printing Plates: William Henry Seward's Autobiography

c.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...

Tin bread box with hinged front and keyhole.

Bread Box

C. 1850 

A tin bread box with hinged front and keyhole. These bread boxes were locked to prevent pilferage by servants.

Pewter mug with handles

Mug

C. 1850 

Pewter mug with handles.  Engraved with floral design. 4 3/4" height, 4 1/4" diameter at base.

Large tin serving tray with bevelled edge.

Tray

c. 1850

Large tin serving tray with bevelled edge.  Remanants of black paint and gold striping on edge. 

Large copper pot for water, coffee, tea.  Porcelain knob on top with wooden grip on bail.

Kettle

c. 1810

Large copper pot for water, coffee, tea.  Porcelain knob on top with wooden grip on bail. Belonged to Judge Miller.

Tin hanging box with open work design.

Match Holder

c.1875

Tin hanging box with open work design.

American silver stein by Howard and Co, NY. Inscription reads "Presented by John Jacob Astor to Caroline Rees Seward on the occasion of her marriage to Robert Endicott, December 16, 1885"

American Silver Stein by Howard and Co, NY

Mid 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. 

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