Collection Highlights: Architectural and Staircase Models from the Thaw Collection
Given to the Cooper Hewitt by Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw, this is an exceptional collection of 18th- and 19th-century models of staircases and some significant architectural models. The models exhibit a range of design styles, materials and techniques, but most of the staircase models were designed in the compagnonnage tradition. Compagnonnage, refers to a system of mastership in which a “group of companions” artisans attained mastery of a skill working together under a master, combining formal study with practical training. Apprentices honed their skills in a workshop during the day, taking courses in the art of geometrical drawing and design in the evening, living together in a boarding house. The architectural models were used as teaching tools and were popular as a means to "collect" important architecture, often purchased by travelers on the Grand Tour.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 18th century
- walnut, mahogany.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-1
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model, 19th century
- mahogany.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-2
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Model for a Pulpit, ca. 1850
- oak.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-3
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Model for Spiral Staircase, 19th century
- pearwood.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-4
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 19th century
- fruitwood (pearwood?), ash (base).
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-5
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 19th century
- walnut.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-6
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model, mid–late 19th century
- mahogany, oak.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-7
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), late 19th century
- cherry (wood), walnut.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-8
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model Double-revolution Stairway Model
- cherry (wood).
- 2007-45-9
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 19th century
- oak.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-10
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 4 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), late 18th century
- pear, brass wire, bone.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-11
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 5 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), early 19th century
- mahogany, ebony, pear or sycamore, oak; biscuit porcelain.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-12
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 6 images of this object.
- Pulpit Model With Staircase (France), mid-19th century
- carved, inlaid, marquetried, and veneered walnut, pear, and oak.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-13
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), late 19th century
- planed, carved, veneered, and turned cherry.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-14
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 5 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (England), mid-19th century
- mahogany.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-15
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 19th century
- planed and carved walnut and fir.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-16
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (USA), 1964
- fir, walnut.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-17
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), 1850–75
- carved, planed, turned and joined walnut, mahogany and inlaid satinwood.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-18
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (possibly France), mid-19th century
- bent and painted wrought sheet and cast iron.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-19
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (possibly France), late 19th or early 20th century
- iron.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-20
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), ca. 1820–40
- planed, joined, and veneered pearwood, walnut.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-21
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 4 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), mid–late 19th century
- walnut.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-22
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Staircase Model (France), late 20th century
- cherry.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2007-45-23
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Baptistry or Church Architectural Model, 1782
- carved and turned bone veneer, gilt metal, wood.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2013-3-2-a,b
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Columned Structure Architectural Model, 1993
- carved, turned, and veneered pear, walnut, satinwood, and other woods.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2013-3-3
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Venetian Palazzo Architectural Model, late 17th–18th century
- ivory, wood.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2013-3-4
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 4 images of this object.
- Sudbury Hall Architectural Model
- stained pine.
- 2013-3-5
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Radcliffe Camera Architectural Model, late 18th–mid-19th century
- carved, gessoed, and painted wood, sheet glass.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2014-39-1
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Temple of Vesta, Tivoli Architectural Model, 1810–30
- pressed, carved, and cut cork with wood base.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2014-39-2
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 3 images of this object.
- Temple of Nike Apteros Architectural Model, designed 1996; executed 2005
- various woods,including carved and joined mahogany (base, architrave and....
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2014-39-4
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
- Renaissance Church Architectural Model, 1600–1700
- cut, carved and molded wood with carved, painted and gessoed decoration.
- Gift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw.
- 2014-39-5
- This object is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts collection.
- There are 2 images of this object.
