Let's Take a Closer Look
What can an object tell us about itself?
BACKGROUND
An wooden carving with the Great Seal of the United States placed in the center was presented to the U.S. Consulate Amsterdam and the American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands to gather more information about the object's origins and background. While at first glance the story remains unknown, further investigation of the object revelaed parts of its story. Let's take a closer look and see what this object has to say!
THE WOODEN CARVING
The mahogany wood carving is 134 CM long, 53 CM tall, and 15 CM deep. A lion's head bearing teeth adorns the top, while delicately carved leaves frame the center. By taking a closer look at the carving we see evidence of different stages of its life.
What the Details Say
The ornate leaves that frame the center are delicately carved and are in great condition. There is very little elemental damage, such as sun or water, this shows the object was stored indoors.
On The Top
There is a distinct lion's head that sits at the top of the carving. With teeth and eyes painted white, the lion’s fierce features are highlighted. If this lion was placed above a door, the lion’s eyes are looking up, instead down at the person below.
OOPS! What's This?
Someone placed a glass on the left-side ledge! This suggests the carving was kept at table height for display at some point.
THE BACK & UNDER
Looking behind and at the bottom of the mahogany carving, reveals more about its construction and how it may have once been displayed.
Multiple Pieces
The back of the wooden carving reveals that this carving was constructed with multiple pieces. We can also find holes, possibly used to hang the ornament at one point. With the back also unfinished, this carving was to displayed in one direction.
What's This?
On the bottom, we can see a sticker. Some times, stickers like this were placed on objects by art dealers or auction houses.
What Could Have Been Here Before?
Let’s look behind the seal.
There is a deep hole, where possibly something else could have been placed here.
THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES
The Great Seal of the United States is proudly displayed in the center of the wooden carving. The seal measure to be 13 CM in diamater and is affixed by two small nails on the side.
The Secretary of State is the custodian of our national symbol, which can be found on documents such as treaties and commissions, and also on documents such as U.S. passports and the reverse of the $1 bill.
The Great Seal of the United States
Designed in 1782, by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, the seal uniquely symbolizes our country’s strength, unity, and independence.
The seal shares symbolism with the American flag. The original 13 states are represnted in the bundle of arrows, the stripes of the shield, and the stars of the constellation.
The motto “E Pluribus Unum” across the scroll clenched in the eagle’s beak expresses the union of the 13 States.
How is the Seal Placed?
Around the Great Seal we can scratch marks and small nail holes.
Possibly, there was something else displayed here before the seal was placed.
Look at the Edges
Closer inspection of the seal shows the uneven edges. This might hint, that the seal was cut out of something else and placed here at a later date.
CONCLUSION
Before the object was presented to the U.S. Consulate Amsterdam and the American Chambers of Commerce, the wooden carving and the Great Seal of the United States had lives of their own but at some point became united. By looking closely at the details, the carving and seal were able to tells us parts of their story that together created this unique and unified object.
While we may never know the complete history of the wooden carving and Great Seal of the United States and how they came to be together, that does not diminish the proud display of American history and symbolism.
