Hillwood House
Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Washington, D.C., house called Hillwood, has an impressive collection of lighting and decorative items by Edward F. Caldwell & Co. Post liked the firm’s work and often referred to the fine quality and design in her letters to family and friends. Post frequently visited the Caldwell showrooms and in one trip in 1926, spent $40,000.00.
MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST
THERMOMETER
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1920S
GILDED BRONZE WITH LAZURITE & GLASS
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (16.42.1-2)
Caldwell’s design department devised this novel stand for an otherwise utilitarian item. Treated like a classical column, the glass thermometer is supported by sphinxes and topped by an eagle with spread wings.
LIBRARY AT 2 EAST 92ND STREET, NEW YORK CITY, 1920
COURTESY OF POST FAMILY PAPERS, BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
The thermometer can be seen on the table next to the lamp in the foreground.
POKER CHIP BOX
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1919-1920
GILDED BRONZE, MAHOGANY WITH KINGWOOD, EBONY MARQUETRY & DYED MOTHER OF PEARL
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE MUSEUM & GARDENS
Designers at Caldwell fashioned this box resembling a writing desk to store poker chips. The box itself displays technical skill in the detailed herringbone marquetry created by the one of Caldwell’s chief cabinetmakers. One of a pair, Mrs. Post prominently displayed these in her houses.
ENTRANCE HALL TREGARON ESTATE, WASHINGTON, D.C., 1942-1958
COURTESY OF POST FAMILY PAPERS, BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
One of Post's poker chip boxes can be seen on the top next to the bust.
STAIR HALL AT 2 EAST 92ND STREET, NEW YORK CITY, 1920
COURTESY OF POST FAMILY PAPERS, BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Another of Post's poker chip boxes can be seen next to the statue on the desk.
BELL PUSHES
Used to summon household staff, Caldwell designed and made many styles and sizes of bell pushes. Those ordered by Post show a sample of the styles available to clients.
BELL PUSH
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1910-1920S
GILDED BRONZE, LAZURITE, IVORY, SILK COVERED WIRE CORD & BAKELITE PLUG
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.100, 14.101)
BELL PUSH
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1910-1920S
GILDED BRONZE, IVORY, JADE, SILK COVERED WIRE CORD & BAKELITE PLUG
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.100, 14.101)
BELL PUSH
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1910-1920S
GILDED BRONZE, COLORED GLASS, AND IVORY
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.100, 14.101)
FRAMES
Visitors to Hillwood can see many of the frames Post ordered from Caldwell. Their design department excelled in applying classical ornament, especially arabesques and trelliswork to modern style picture frames. Colored stones appealed to Post, especially lapis lazuli.
FRAME
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1916-1928
GILDED BRONZE, MARBLE & LAZURITE
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.105.1-2, 14.106.1-2, 14.107.1-3)
Frame with portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post and daughter Nedenia Hutton.
PRESENTATION DRAWING OF FRAME
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1927-1928
SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES, COOPER HEWITT, SMITHSONIAN DESIGN MUSEUM
Caldwell would have presented this drawing to Post for final approval.
FRAME
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1916-1928
GILDED BRONZE, MARBLE & LAZURITE
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.105.1-2, 14.106.1-2, 14.107.1-3)
Frame with portrait of Marjorie Merriweather Post.
FRAME
EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO.
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, 1916-1928
GILDED BRONZE, MARBLE & LAZURITE
LOAN COURTESY OF HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS, WASHINGTON, DC. BEQUEST OF MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST, 1973 (14.105.1-2, 14.106.1-2, 14.107.1-3)
Frame with portraits of Mrs. Post’s daughters Eleanor and Adelaide.
