 ecent gifts, purchases and loans have helped Historic Charleston Foundation
move toward completing the furnishings plans at the Nathaniel Russell House, c. 1808. Monetary donations to the acquisitions fund made possible the
purchase of a mahogany tambour desk, c. 1805, made by Elijah Sanderson in Salem, Mass., acquired at Sotheby's in 2002 from the collection of Mr. and
Mrs. Lammot DuPont Copeland for the withdrawing room. A pair of Federal giltwood oval mirrors, c. 1795, also were acquired from Doyle’s of New York.
 |
Private donations made possible the purchase of this mahogany tambour desk, c. 1805, made by Elijah Sanderson in Salem, Mass. |
Eleven engravings and maps purchased in New York and Charleston have been conserved and installed throughout the Russell House. In the front
reception room, two naval prints, 1765-1766, by English publisher Boydell flank a large engraving of "The Landing of Christopher Columbus," 1800, by Edward Savage.
"A New and Exact Map of the Dominions of the King of Great Britain on Ye Continent of North America," dated 1715, by Moll, hangs in Russell's office.
This map includes an inset of Charles Town and the walled city, and has a Charleston provenance.
| A brass inkstand for the Jacob Sass desk in Mr. Russell's office was recently purchased through private donations to the collections fund. |
 |
An engraving of "George Washington" by Trumbull now hangs in the Russell House stairhall, and two mezzotint engravings of "Peace" and "Plenty"
have been added to the collection in the back parlor. In the master bedchamber, "The Four Seasons," c. 1786, by Robert Sayer compliment the framed
needlework. Four Italian paintings that had been on long-term loan from the Gibbes Museum of Art were permanently acquired. One pair depicts the
Capitoline Ruins and the other Italian seascapes; they now hang in the dining room. A brass inkstand or “standish” sits upon the Jacob Sass desk in Russell's office.
The Aiken-Rhett House has also benefited from recent acquisitions. In addition to the Russell House fireback, Thomas R. Bennett also donated a 19th
century plain style pine press made for S.C. Governor Thomas Bennett, which is exhibited in the kitchen building.
 |
A pair of Federal guiltwood mirrors, c. 1795, were acquired from Doyle's of New York, thanks to private donations to the collections fund. |
Art conservator Joann Barry has begun a conservation assessment of the "Romeo and Juliet" painting formerly in the Aiken-Rhett art gallery and prepared
a treatment proposal. Over the years, the upper section of the canvas had become loose from the stretcher. The Foundation is currently seeking funding to
restore this delicate work of art.
For more information on contributing to the museum collections, contact Brandy Culp, Curator, at 843-724-8483.
| This painting of Roman Ruins, one of four Italian paintings that had been on long-term loan from the Gibbes Museum of Art, was recently added to the Nathaniel Russell House's permanent collection. |
 |
|
|
