1992.322.1, William Shaw, Candelabrum from "Bigelow Chapel" pattern mantel set, patented 1848

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just six miles from Boston, opened as America's first planned, landscaped burial ground. Referred to by Andrew Jackson Downing as "The Athens of New England," it was a park suitable for afternoon strolls as well as for burying the dead. It is not surprising that the Bigelow Chapel at Mt. Auburn would become the subject for decorative candlesticks, nor is it surprising that they would be made in Boston. Cast on the base of each are the words "W. F. SHAW / 270 WASH'N ST / BOSTON / PATENT / DEC 18 1848." William F. Shaw is first listed in the 1845 Boston city directory and seems to have worked in the city through 1851.

This particular model is Shaw's most important and one of the best examples of Neo-Gothic lighting ever produced in this country. Examples like this that survive with their original gilding and crystals are extremely rare. One of the few other known examples is at Washington Irving's home, Sleepy Hollow, in Tarrytown, New York.

Adapted from

DMA unpublished material.

NOTES

changed provenance to comply with Guidelines and Procedures for Provenance display
DMA unpublished material = TMS curatorial remarks
UMO flagged NR in Piction

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

Historical periods

Individuals

Subject terms

Gothic Revival

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

c. 1976: Collection of Mr. Charles V. Swain (1947-2005), either Doylestown, PA or Sarasota, Florida [3], [4]

Before 1992: Cathy's Antiques, Dallas, Texas [2]

After 1992: Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Texas, acquired from above [1]

[1] See Object Receipt and Acquisition Record in Collections Records Object File (1992.322.1)

[2] Ibid

[3] photo copy of page from "The Gothic Revival Style in America, 1830-1870, an exhibition of Decorative Arts, April 1 through June 6, 1976, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston" found in the Collections Records Object File (1992.322.1)

[4] Information about Charles V. Swain found on the Frick Collection website, http://research.frick.org/directoryweb/browserecord.php?-action=browse&-recid=7251, Accessed August 29, 2016

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

269856589: UMO. [Caption] Photograph of Bigelow Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. View of front facade. Source: Historic American Buildings Survey, United States Library of Congress. Call Number HABS MASS,9-CAMB,70-A; Survey number HABS MA-1216-A;, Wikimedia Commons, accessed August 29, 2016.

WEB RESOURCES

National Parks Service~Read about Mount Auburn Cemetery and see the Bigelow Chapel.

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

apply to objects where number equals 1992.322.1

General Description

In 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just six miles from Boston, opened as America's first planned, landscaped burial ground. Referred to by Andrew Jackson Downing as "The Athens of New England," it was a park suitable for afternoon strolls as well as for burying the dead. It is not surprising that the Bigelow Chapel at Mt. Auburn would become the subject for decorative candlesticks, nor is it surprising that they would be made in Boston. Cast on the base of each are the words "W. F. SHAW / 270 WASH'N ST / BOSTON / PATENT / DEC 18 1848." William F. Shaw is first listed in the 1845 Boston city directory and seems to have worked in the city through 1851.