Sculpture

Description

This lead sculpture represents a nineteenth-century rendition of the colonial seal of the City of New York with an eagle standing on the globe above a shield with crossed windmill sails, flour barrels and beavers flanked by a stylized sailor and Manhattan Indian man. The prominent ornament once stood above the central window above the entrance portico to Niblo's Garden in New York City. The popular venue for theatrical and musical entertainments was founded and operated by William Niblo (1790-1878) and his wife Martha King Niblo (d.1851) between Broadway and Prince Street. The theater burned and was rebuilt several times, ultimately by retail magnate Alexander T. Stewart after the fire in 1872. Within twenty years, the block was razed and an office building erected by Henry O. Havemeyer replaced the theater, likely when this sculpture was salvaged for the antiques market.