Valance, blue tiered valance (part of set 60.400a-60.402d). The valance is made from a floral damask fabric. It has an arched central opening with tiered edges. The concave curve of the inner arch is decorated with a warp-face tape with tied self-tassels. The tassels themselves alternate between thread tassels and triple pompom tassels. On either side of the arch, longer points of fabric support large ornate tassels in an ice blue. Below the tassels the edges cut in 3” on each side to form the tiered sides. An inch in from the interior edge of the valance there is a decorative knotted gimp trim that forms tall loops at the two points where the edge cuts away to form the tiers. The top of the valance has three swags of matching brocade fabric applied 3” down from the top and 4.5” in from each side. At each gathering point of each swag there is a matching rosette. The lower looped edge of the swags is trimmed with a two-toned blue cord. The central swag is loose, and there is some sun fading after the rosette on the left. The top of the valance has twelve ½” rings sewn along the edge. The bottom of the valance is decorated with the same tied tassels as the central arch. There is a small hole on the right towards the bottom of the valance.
This valance (part of set 60.400a-60.402d) was donated by Charles Holten as part of a gift containing a bedroom and suite from the home of Richard Kennerdell, an American manufacturer from Pennsylvania. Kennerdell opened a wool, iron, saw, and grist mill in Venango County in western Pennsylvania during the 1850s (page 54 of scanned accession file). The mill grew, and Richard Kennerdell built the town of Kennerdell, Pennsylvania around his mill. The objects in the set came from his grand mansion in his town. Sadly, the house has since been destroyed. The damask fabric of the blue draperies corresponds to blue damask panels in the bedframe and the towel rack from the grand bedroom. According to the family, the objects in the set were bought at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 (page 56 of scanned accession file). The furnishings are most likely manufactured by Allen and Brother of Philadelphia, notable furniture makers in this time. The wooden furniture contains the markings of the company, and the set matches examples from their published book of object displayed at the Exhibition. The draperies and bedroom set are examples of Victorian furniture in the French style inspired by Louse XIV. The rich damask valances evoke luxury and splendor.
Black and white print of a fire in a three story house bordering a city park being extinguished by a large corps of firemen. Other houses and public buildings line the street and spectators line the park.
Black and white print of gymnastics demonstrations being performed on a stage outside a wood frame structure. Spectators surround the exhibition area. Text beneath the image gives information about the Turnverein Association and the festival.
Black and white allegorical print of a temple topped by a statue labelled "Constitution". The temple has three columns which are marked:"Democracy", "Monarchy", and "Aristocracy". The right represents the benefits of obedience to laws and the government and to the left are the punishments that await crimes.
This image was used as an illustration in the book " The Tree of Legal Knowledge."
Colored print; scenic view of Catskill Mountains at the Hudson River with sailboats and steamboats on the water. Mounted and strolling couples on right bank pathway. Buildings of West Point Military Academy appear on the opposite hill.
Black & white print; half length portrait of an Asian man (Naruce Jinsiro?). The facsimilie of the sitter's signature in both Chinese? and English is below the image. Advertising the lithographers' work.
Color advertising print of a whaling scene; a large whale in the foreground is being attacked by men in two whaling boats. One boat is capsizing. A large sailing ship waits in the background. The print advertises a dealer in sperm, whale, lard, and tanner's oil as well as candles.
Black and white print of an ornate storefront. Numerous advertising signs are displayed in the shop windows. The building is marked "Ackerman/ Signs & Ornamental Painting". Two men emerge from the shop carrying a signboard which reads "Sarony & Major."
Color advertising print depicting two views of a mower in operation. Each scenes depicts a portrait head on top of a small man's body. The top machine is drawn by a pair of eagles; the lower one is drawn by two harnessed reindeer.
