Title
A Billard Table
Date
1892-1895
Description
A carved mahogany billiard table (American, 1892-1895) made by William Baumgarten & Co., NY, designed by Emile Baumgarten (American, 1865-1922) for use in The Breakers Billiard Room. The billiard table has an upper frieze decorated with channeling interspaced by gadrooned gilt metal bosses, an ogee edge separates the upper frieze from the lower frieze which has raised curving acanthus leaves flanking ornate lion monopodium legs. The top of the frame is inlaid with a diamond shaped patent mark reading “MONARCH / The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. / PATENT / CUSHIONS."
William Baumgarten & Co. was founded in 1891 by German immigrant William Baumgarten (1846-1906). Originally a cabinet maker, William Baumgarten began an association with the firm Herter Brothers, where he took over the helm after Christian Herter’s retirement in 1881. While at Herter Brothers, William Baumgarten oversaw the interior decoration of William H. Vanderbilt’s Fifth Ave. mansion. Emile Baumgarten, William’s younger brother, graduated from Yale in 1886 and later studied at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts. Emile became president of the firm after his brother’s death in 1906.
William Baumgarten & Co. was founded in 1891 by German immigrant William Baumgarten (1846-1906). Originally a cabinet maker, William Baumgarten began an association with the firm Herter Brothers, where he took over the helm after Christian Herter’s retirement in 1881. While at Herter Brothers, William Baumgarten oversaw the interior decoration of William H. Vanderbilt’s Fifth Ave. mansion. Emile Baumgarten, William’s younger brother, graduated from Yale in 1886 and later studied at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts. Emile became president of the firm after his brother’s death in 1906.
Cultural Origin
American
Medium
mahogany
Extent
34" x 122" x 65 1/2"
Collection
Source
Gift of estate of Countess Anthony Szapary.
Identifier
PSNC.2472a
Related Materials
PSNC.2472.b-c
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.