Object details
Accession number
U19e93
Primary Creator
Unknown
Full title
Letter Opener
Creation Date
1860-1880
Provenance
Probably from the collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner's husband, John L. Gardner, Jr. (1837-1898).
Marks
Incised: JLG [probably John Lowell Gardner, Jr. (1838-1898)]
Dimensions
44.9 x 3.8 x 1.6 cm (17 11/16 x 1 1/2 x 5/8 in.)
Display Media
Ivory
Web Commentary
Inscribed with the initials “J.L.G.”, this elegant letter-opener belonged to Isabella Stewart Gardner’s husband, John Lowell Gardner, Jr. Traces of wear along its edges suggest regular use; dirt worn into the fine cracks of the ivory recall the handling of its owner. Perhaps because of its connection to her domestic life, she chose to display the opener on a desk in the museum’s Tapestry Room.
Permanent Gallery Location
Tapestry Room
Rights and reproductions
The use of images, text, and all other media found on this website is limited. Please review Rights and Reproductions for details.