The front-parlor discussed and illustrated above and below is currently a work in progress. When completed in fall 2024, it will be the first space seen by visitors as they enter an elegant, 1830 Greek Revival mansion in Mount Holly, NJ, that is the home of the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences. Currently open as a site for public programs and other events, the Lyceum will—in stages beginning this fall—make its full debut as both a regional museum and a 21st-century reimagining of a 19th-century “lyceum”: a public gathering place for individual and community learning and uplift presenting discussions, performances, and a permanent exhibition exploring the history, ecology, industrial and commercial development, culture, and the people of Burlington County.
Still to come in this front-parlor: More art for the walls, elaborate Classical giltwood mirrors, carpeting, draperies, and a spectacular but thoroughly period-appropriate hand painted mural/frieze/border by decorative-painter Nadia Zychal that will grace the top of the walls.
Courtesy of the Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Exhibition design: studioMUSarx. Renderings: Nadia Zychal. Photos: Anthony Jacobsen
Classical Scroll-End Sofa with Foliate Carving; American, c. 1830; Mahogany, viscose and silk fabric; 90.75 x 24 x 37.75 inches; Gift of Stacy Lippincott Moore, Jr., Nanci Lee Moore, Mary Jane Kiefer, and Sarita Virginia Laughlin, great-great-great-grandchildren of Harriet and James Langstaff; LAN.2024.0001
Classical Cache Pot and Base; French, c. 1850; Porcelain with printed decal decoration; Cache pot: 10.5 x 19.5 inches; Base: 11 x 1.25 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0004 (cache pot) OBJ.2024.0005 (base)
Classical Oval Mirror; American, 19th century; Giltwood and composition, modern mirror; 35.062 x 5.39 x 77.375 inches; Gift of Stacy Lippincott Moore, Jr., Nanci Lee Moore, Mary Jane Kiefer, and Sarita Virginia Laughlin, great-great-great-grandchildren of Harriet and James Langstaff; LAN.2024.0005
Classical Flip-Top Console/Table with Lyre-Form Base; American, 1825–1865; Mahogany; 28 x 36 x 18 inches (closed); Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0006
Roman Ruins; Unknown artist; Italian, 18th century; Oil on board, painted wood frame; 39.75 x 1.7 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition
“Astral” Oil Lamp with Ionic Column Base; American, 1843; Cornelius & Company, Philadelphia; Copper alloy, iron alloy, frosted glass with etched decoration; 18.5 x 5.5 inches (base); Gift of Matthew F. Singer; OBJ.2024.0018
Classical Klismos-Form Spoonback Chairs; American, 1825–1865; Mahogany, horsehair; 33 x 17 x 20 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0002
Portrait Miniature of a Young Woman; Unknown artist; French, 19th century; Watercolor (pigment and gum arabic) on ivory support, brass frame; 2.62 inches (with frame); Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0001
Federal “Martha Washington” Demilune-Pocket Sewing-Stand; American, 1820–1900; Mahogany; 27.687 x 14.687 x 28.39 inches; Gift of Stacy Lippincott Moore, Jr., Nanci Lee Moore, Mary Jane Kiefer, and Sarita Virginia Laughlin, great-great-great-grandchildren of Harriet and James Langstaff; LAN.2024.0004
Three-Piece Urn Garniture Set; British (possibly Derby, England), early 19th century; Porcelain, paint, gilding; 11.75 x 8 inches (large urn); 7.5 x 4.5 x 8.875 inches (small urns); Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0003A (tall urn) OBJ.2024.0003B OBJ.2024.0003C
Classical Overmantel Mirror; American, 1825–1850; Giltwood and tin-mercury amalgam mirror; 35.062 x 5.39 x 77.375 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0008
Pair of Classical Klismos-Form Scroll-Arm Chairs; British or American, c. 1830; Mahogany, viscose and silk fabric; 20.8 x 20.9 x 32.375 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0001A FUR.2024.0001B
Maggio (May); Unknown artist; Italian, late-19th century; Oil on canvas, painted wood frame; 27.25 x 19.687 x 1.5 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition
Corinthian Column Candlesticks: American, 19th century; Copper alloy, iron alloy; 12.25 x 4.5 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0017
Bust of Clytie; 1833–1847; Copeland and Garrett Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent, England; Parian ware (unglazed porcelain); 5 x 8.5 x 12 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0002
Classical Two-Drawer Side-Stand with Drop-Leaves and Scroll Feet; American, c. 1830; Mahogany; 32.3 x 16 x 27.75 inches; Gift of Stacy Lippincott Moore, Jr., Nanci Lee Moore, Mary Jane Kiefer, and Sarita Virginia Laughlin, great-great-great-grandchildren of Harriet and James Langstaff; LAN.2024.0003
Cylinder-Body Oinochoe (Wine Jug); Greek, 19th century; Painted terracotta; 11.8 x 14.25 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0007
Classical Silver Flatware (various); American, 1830–1900; Various makers; Silver alloy (coin silver and sterling silver); Various sizes; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisitions
Charger with Portrait of a Young Roman Man; Italian, 19th century; Glazed ceramic; 16 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0008
Tea Pot with Lid British, 20th century reproduction of c. 1800 design Wedgwood Pottery, Staffordshire, England Jasperware (unglazed stoneware) 3.5 x 7.5 x 5 inches Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition OBJ.2024.0014
Round-Body Oinochoe (Wine Jug); Greek, 19th century; Painted terracotta; 10.5 x 6 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; OBJ.2024.0006
Classical Scroll-End Sofa; American, c. 1840; Mahogany, cotton and linen fabric; 82 2/5 x 2 ¼x 3 1/10 inches; Gift of the Widmayer Family
Pier Mirror with Eglomise Painting of Children; American, c. 1825; Giltwood, paint, glass; 16.375 x 2.75 x 35.75 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0007
Regency Writing Table with Lyre-form Supports; British, c. 1820; Rosewood, inlaid brass; 28.5 x 54 x 28 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0020
Pier Mirror with Eglomise Painting of Fruit and Leaves; American, c. 1820; Wood, paint, silver mirror; 32.8x19.125x3.39 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0022
Pair of Regency Fold-Top Game-Tables; British, early 19th century; Rosewood, inlaid brass; 29 x 36 x 17.75 inches (closed); Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0021A FUR.2024.0021B
Classical Klismos-Form Spoonback Chair; American, 1825–1865; Mahogany, cotton and linen fabric; 33 x 17 x 20 inches; Burlington County Lyceum of History and Natural Sciences acquisition; FUR.2024.0004