Collection Highlights
Slave shackles
ca. 1866
1921.20
Steel
Support the New-York Historical Society
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Chimney breast
Object name
Chimney breast
Date
1763-1764
Medium
White pine
Dimensions
Overall: 115 x 106 x 22 in. ( 292.1 x 269.2 x 55.9 cm )
Description
Carved and painted Rococo chimney breast; projecting cornice above a broken scroll pedimented overmantel with elaborate rococo-carved trusses, flanked by fluted Doric pilasters; narrow mantel shelf above a frieze with elaborate rococo carving, including a carved paddling dog flanked by swans in the center; paneled pilasters flank rectangular opening; paneled sides with molded chair boards and base boards; one of the two detachable crests (1962.63) in the collection of the N-YHS may have been intended to hang in the pediment.
Credit Line
Gift of James W. Beekman
Object Number
1874.8
Gallery Label
This carved and painted chimney breast is from the drawing room of Mount Pleasant, the Manhattan country house built by James Beekman (1732-1807) at what is now 51st Street and the East River. The house, one of New York's finest rococo residences, was built in 1763-64 and demolished in 1874.
Bibliography
Bach, Debra Schmidt. "Witness to history: Furniture and historic relics." The Magazine Antiques 167 (2005): 162-167.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
