Collection Highlights
I Sell the Shadow to Support the Substance
Date:
1864
Object Number:
PR.011.5
Medium:
Albumen print mounted on card (Carte de Visite)
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
Commemorative plate: Christopher Columbus
Object Number:
2005.3.3
Date:
1892
Medium:
Porcelain, hand painting
Dimensions:
Overall: 1 3/16 x 9 3/8 in. ( 3 x 23.8 cm )
Marks:
painted at edge of central scene: "A. Souest" (?)
stamped on back of plate: "FRANCE"
stamped on back of plate: "A" inside interlaced L's: fake mark after the Sevres porcelain manufactory
Description:
Circular porclain plate with scalloped and pierced rim; handpainted central roundel of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the new world; border painted with wreathed vignettes depicting Ferdinand and Isabella and various emblems of exploration, including hourglass and trident and ship's wheel; image of anchor and oars inscribed with "1492", globe and maps inscribed with "1892". Wreaths alternate with stars and stripes swags. Maker's marks stamped in blue on reverse: "A" within crossed script L's and "FRANCE" below; Painted decorator's mark (?) of green arrow between 2 gold bars. Handwritten label on masking tape adhered to reverse: "Frank de Caro/ HAND PAINTED/ COMMEMORATIVE/ PLATE COLUMBUS/ 1492-1892/ PRESENTED TO F. DeCARO"
Gallery Label:
The central image on this plate is painted after the 1842 "The Landing of Columbus" by John Vanderlyn. The plate was produced in France, most likely for the American market, as a token of the Columbian Exposition celebration of the laying of the cornerstone of the Christopher Columbus statue on 5th Avenue and 53rd Street on September 17, 1892 in NYC. The plate was owned by Frank Anthony DeCaro, an Italian immigrant who spent much of his life advocating the initiation of the Columbus Day holiday.
Credit Line:
Gift of Dr. Frank de Caro
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
