National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Resource History and Description of Existing Conditions
later drawing reflects a simplification to carved panels; this area was executed with plain panels.
The drawing of the bed indicates drapery that was eliminated. The nightstands on either side of
the bed are indicated as seats on the drawings. The chimney breast in the drawing is quite
different from the one in place. There is a carved frieze where the drawing calls for an archedbroken
pediment. The monumental sculptural figures are male instead of female and in
different poses. In place of a central mirror, there is a carved allegorical panel with a gilded
border. The mantel has a single frieze with carving only at the ends rather than all along,
separated by bands in fluting. The vertical supports are also plain with a carved double bracket,
rather than the carved, tapering supports on the drawing. The chimney breast in place is made
of carved stone and seems to be a Renaissance piece, rather than one designed by Glaenzer. 721
In most cases, except for the carved central panel the room as-built is simplified from the
drawings.
Mr. Vanderbilt's Bedroom was elaborately furnished with a number of antique pieces.
According to Alex Knauss, who prepared flower arrangements in the mansion, red was
Frederick's favorite color. A red bouquet was always put in this bedroom. 722 The green
tapestries on the walls that depict pastoral forest landscape are supposedly seventeenth-century
French, while the embroidered red velvet hanging over the bed was originally late-seventeenth
century Italian. 723 The curtains were originally similar red velvet fabric with embroidered
appliqués. They were replaced with reproductions in 1968 to 1969. 724 The furniture was
reupholstered in 1949 and 1950 and some of the appliqués were removed and applied to the
reproductions. 725 In 1951 the paneling and furniture were oiled. 726
Glaenzer used much seating furniture to fill up the room, including a settee, a sofa, two
pairs of easy chairs, two pairs of side chairs, and a single chair. These pieces, some of which
were antique, were all covered in red velvet. In addition to the seating furniture, there is a large
desk, 727 a sideboard, a library table, 728 and two smaller tables. The rug is the original Indian red
wood rug with a border. 729 There are three pairs of matching sconces; each pair has one male
face and one female face. The sconces were made by E.F. Caldwell & Co. There is another pair
of single globe sconces mounted on a bronze cornucopia base flanking the fireplace. 730
Additional lighting is provided by two Oriental vases mounted as table lamps and another small
lamp by the bed. Mr. Vanderbilt's Bedroom contains many of the original accessories. The pair
of Venetian ruby glass vases on the sideboard was a gift from Margaret Van Alen. 731 There are
721
According to Mitchel Samuels of French & Co., New York. (Samuels, French & Co., 1940.)
722
Knauss, 1971, 7.
723
Samuels, French & Co., 1940. The ground of this hanging seems to be a replacement with the
original appliqués reattached. See E-mail Anne Jordan to Nina Gray September 1, 1999.
724
Albert McClure, Monthly Report, November 1968. Two original valances survive and are in storage.
725
Albert McClure, Monthly Report, December 1949, March 1950, April 1950, May 1950.
726
Albert McClure, Monthly Report, January 1951.
727
The rolltop portion of the desk is currently in storage.
728
The library table is possibly by Herter Brothers. It contains the stamped number 2709 inside drawer,
which is lined in mahogany.
729
Van Alen, 1940.
730
Caldwell Collection, Cooper-Hewitt Library, Wall Brackets, Volume 3, 19, #c-4143.
731
She bought them in Palm Beach. (Bruguiere, 1948.)
134