Gilded New York - Exhibit

Michele Gordigiani, “Cornelia Ward Hall and Her Children,”
(Detail), 1880 - Museum of the City of New York

It's my second time visiting this gem of a show, which lets you glimpse into the lives of wealthy New Yorkers in the late 19th century. A time of opulence, staggering wealth, Fifth Avenue mansions, lavish parties & balls, designer gowns, the finest interiors and objet d'art - and exquisite jewelry. This ongoing exhibit  at the Museum of the City of New York, is a must see for New Yorkers and visitors alike. It is the inaugural installation for the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Gallery and in my opinion they hit it out of the park, Central Park, that is.

 Literally right across the street from Central Park and on Fifth Avenue, no less, the Museum of the City of New York is a beautiful, small museum housed in a Georgian-Revival building completed in 1932. Focusing on New York City's past, present & future, the shows here are always well curated, interesting and worth your time. The museums 22 minute film, Timescapes, gives you a whirlwind tour of the history of this great city - showing every 1/2 hour, it's a wonderful way to start your visit.

Gilded New York Salon - Tiffany & Co. Foundation Gallery

Stepping into the beautifully appointed Gilded New York gallery, complete with period furnishings, paintings, chandeliers and sconces, immediately puts you in the mindset of the Gilded Age. Even velvet flocked wallpaper adorns the walls! The narrow salon features four windows overlooking Central Park, from its third floor location, giving you the impression of being in someone's Fifth Avenue mansion. Perhaps one of the Vanderbilt's?

One of the jewelry cases with gilded, annular clock (in window sill) featuring the
Three Graces, probably French(1850-1875), and view looking over to Central Park

Tiffany & Co. brooch set with pearls, Burmese ruby, demantoid garnets,
pink sapphires & diamonds. G. Paulding Farnham, designer, c. 1900

The brooch above, by Tiffany & Co., was probably my favorite piece of jewelry in the show. My photo not doing it justice - this brooch was like looking at the most exquisite piece of candy you've ever seen. The subtle varying hues of pink and white pearls was delicious and that ruby - absolutely mouth watering!

Diamond and emerald brooch, probably French, c. 1890

Tiffany & Co. gold bangle set with amethyst, sinhalite, garnet,
aquamarine & pink tourmaline. G. Paulding Farnham, designer, c. 1895

You really see the Art Nouveau influence in this gem-set bangle with its organic feel and sensuous lines - and the whiplash curves of the tendrils in this spectacular brooch, below.

Marcus & Co., The Rehan Jewel, c. 1895-1905
Plique a jour enamel & gold. The jewel is named after
its owner, the celebrated New York actress, Ada Rehan ( 1859-1916)

Dreicer & Co. necklace of platinum, natural pearl & diamond, c. 1905

Can't you just see yourself wearing this fabulous necklace to the opera or the ball? But of course!

There were more jewels but as you can see, it was difficult to get a good photo of them through the glass, so we will move on to the other items on display. Accessories, costumes, silver and more!

Duvelleroy folding fan, Paris, c. 1900
Painted silk leaf, applied sequins, feather; carved and painted mother- of- pearl monture

Beautiful Duvelleroy fan box, below

Typical accessories of the day.
Lorgnette, gold & optical glass, probably American, c. 1900 -
Tiffany & Co. silver & sapphire cigarette case, c. 1895 - Gold, silver, diamond
& feather hair pin/ornament - Tiffany & Co. frog leather & diamond card case, c.1900 -
Flacon de poudre (scent bottle), gold, diamond, pink tourmaline or topaz,
crystal & silver, 1890-1910

Handbag handle with mermaids in silver and chrysoprase clasp, c. 1905
F. Walter Lawrence - designer Gustave Manz, silversmith
Love this!

And for the gentleman....

Ivory, gold & wood novelty cane with naked lady in concealed compartment -
Tiffany & Co. silver flask with seahorse design, 1882 - Silver and engraved
glass flask by Gorham Manufacturing Co., 1898 

Maison Worth, Paris - "Infanta Margarita after Velazquez",
fancy dress costume worn by Ms. Kate Brice to the
Bradley-Martin Ball, 1897

A wonderful slide show of great costumes worn by New York's elite
at the many balls and parties around town at the turn of the century.
This one picturing Lady Paget (Minnie Paran Stevens)
 as an Egyptian princess at the Vanderbilt Ball, 1883

Fan, opera glasses, hair comb, purses, very dainty evening shoes
and a pair of yellow, silk stockings

A selection of silver & silver gilt items along with Venetian glass,
earthenware and some Etruscan revival jewelry.

Etruscan revival jewelry - Necklace by Giacinto Melillo, Italy, late 1800's

I noticed that items I originally saw my first time visiting the show back in February had been changed out with other items. Perhaps the museum wants to continually rotate items in order to share their wonderful collection from that period. Or, perhaps, change items with the seasons? Either way, it's a great excuse to keep coming back to enjoy this intimate jewel of a show!

You can read more about this elegant & extravagant period of New York City's history, here, at the museums website. There is also a great book on the subject, featuring the items in the exhibit, done by the museum, called - Gilded New York: Design, Fashion and Society 

Untermyer Fountain - Three Dancing Maidens by German sculptor Walter Schott

After you've enjoyed your time at the museum, I highly suggest heading across the street and up a few blocks to the Central Park Conservatory Garden. The only formal garden in Central Park, it is like stepping back in time to the turn of the century, and across the pond to Europe. Divine!

*All photos in this post taken by Wendy E. Smith