Posts By: Heather Iannucci

Arthur Iselin jr.  with Scottish terrier “pooh bear” Glass Porch, Bedford House C. 1923 JJ.2015.27   You may view the Object of the Day Archives HERE

Band Box Mid-19th century Pressed board and fabric Maker unknown JJ.1966.294 “Bands” referred to men’s detachable collars which the boxes were used to store originally in the 17th century. Band boxes were in wide use in the early 19th century and out of fashion by the Civil War. They served as protective packaging for new…

  Forks c.1779-1782 Silver JJ.1966.284   These forks were donated to the Homestead by a Jay family descendant, Ellen Jay Garrison, John Jay’s Great-Great Granddaughter. Family tradition states that these were made for John Jay while he was serving as a Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain in the later years of the Revolution, trying to solicit…

Ivory Seal C. 1830-1850 Ivory Maker Unknown JJ.1958.93 This ivory seal belonged to William Jay, son of John Jay. The ivory is turned and carved, with the initials “WJ” below the cross and pyramid on the seal. Leaf carving decorates the turned shaft. Originally designed to indicate a signature or to authenticate a document, wax…

Franz Schubert Music Book 1857 Paper, cardstock JJ.1958.389 Despite only living a short 31 years, Franz Schubert (1797-1828) composed more than 1,500 songs for solo voice and piano, and orchestra. This copy of his song Les Plaintes de la Jeune Fille was owned by Eleanor “Ella” Jay, the daughter of John Jay II and Eleanor…

Portrait: Mary Rutherfurd Jay Artist unknown 1875 Oil on Canvas JJ.1982.6 a&b   Mary Rutherfurd Jay (1872-1953) was the great-great granddaughter of John Jay (1745-1829). She was the granddaughter of John Clarkson Jay (1808-1891) and Laura Prime (1812-1887), descending through Jay’s oldest son, Peter Augustus. This painting was done in 1875, when Mary was three…

Dutch Kast 1730 Maple, mahogany JJ.1966.308 This large cupboard, also known as a Dutch Kast, is from c. 1730 and made out of maple and mahogany wood. It has inlaid designs, including diamonds and light pronged stars on the outer front panels, as well as a maple star inlay on the paneled doors. The description…

Sales Brochure for Bedford House 1956 Ink on Paper   In 1956, Eleanor Jay Iselin’s heirs offered Bedford House for sale. Thankfully, in 1958/9, a deal was brokered to allow Westchester County to purchase the estate and confer it to the State of New York to be turned into a museum and historic site. You…

The Creation of the Animals 1760-1790 Ink on paper Charles-Nicolas Cochin (1715-1790) after Raphael (1483-1520) JJ.2006.30   This engraving of Raphael’s The Creation of the Animals was done by French engraver, Charles Nicolas Cochin. Born in Paris, Cochin studied engraving under his father, of the same name, and was a Parisian engraver for over 50…