Collection Highlights
Snake jug
Date:
1871
Object Number:
1906.6ab
Medium:
Stoneware
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Obelisk
Object Number:
INV.249
Date:
ca. 1864
Medium:
Stone
Dimensions:
Overall: 18 x 5 x 5 in. ( 45.7 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm )
Marks:
inscribed: on four sides of the base of the shaft, "WASHINGTON/ INAUGURATED FIRST PRESIDENT/ OF THE U.S. APRIL 30, 1789./ FEDERAL HALL NEW YORK;" inscribed on three of the four sides of the base, "TRENTON/ YORKTOWN/ A NEW YEARS GIFT TO THE NEW YORK HISTOR
Description:
Obelisk of dark granite on square marble base; on shaft are two shields, one inscribed "1789," the other with a hole and residue from a now-missing attachment; inscribed on four sides of the base of the shaft, "WASHINGTON/ INAUGURATED FIRST PRESIDENT/ OF THE U.S. APRIL 30, 1789./ FEDERAL HALL NEW YORK;" inscribed on three of the four sides of the base, "TRENTON/ YORKTOWN/ A NEW YEARS GIFT TO THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY FROM THE COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC CHARITIES & CORRECTION. SIMEON DRAPER Prest ISAAC BELL MOSES H. GRINNELL JAS B. NICHOLSON 1ST JANUARY 1864; C.E. FINCH sculptr" on lower edge of base.
Gallery Label:
According to the March 1, 1864, Minutes of the NYHS, this obelisk was made from a fragment of the pavement of the balcony of Federal Hall, on Wall St., on which George Washington stood for his inauguration for president in 1789. The 17th and 18th-century Federal Hall was replaced in 1842 by a Greek-Revival style structure.
Credit Line:
Gift of the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction, 1864
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
