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Eagle

1800–1830
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 700
The American bald eagle was adopted by the United States Congress for the national seal in 1782. It soon became the most popular of patriotic decorative motifs. This carved-and-gilded eagle, with its wings proudly spread, is posed on a rocklike base. One of the largest of its type, it may have been the work of a carver of ship figureheads; however, it does not appear to have been used as a ship’s ornament or placed on the outside of a building, as it shows no signs of weathering.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Eagle
  • Date: 1800–1830
  • Geography: Probably made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Pine, oil gilding, iron
  • Dimensions: 69 x 91 1/4 x 14 in., 185lb. (175.3 x 231.8 x 35.6 cm, 83.9kg)
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Bequest of Ella Morris de Peyster, by exchange, 1959
  • Object Number: 59.89
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Eagle, William Rush American, Carved wood (probably Eastern white pine), gessoed and gilded, and cast iron, painted, American
Eagle
William Rush
1809–11
Outside Row Standing Horse (Carousel Figure), Daniel Müller American, born Germany, Basswood, paint, glass, steel, American
Outside Row Standing Horse (Carousel Figure)
Daniel Müller
D.C. Müller & Bro.
ca. 1917
Pier table, Joseph B. Barry and Son American, Mahogany, mahogany veneer, satinwood, amboyna, pine, gilt bronze with yellow poplar, American
Pier table
Joseph B. Barry and Son
1810–15
Side Chair, Benjamin Henry Latrobe American, born England, Yellow poplar, oak, maple, white pine, gold leaf, and gesso, American
Side Chair
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1808
Stand, Brass, iron, American
Stand
American
1880–85

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