4. The Den

Transcript

Transcript

The Vanderbilt family excelled in a culture that emphasized reputation and valued appearances. It was a life filled with etiquette and complex social protocols. The parties of the time were no different. After hours of extensive fine dining, which might contain a dozen courses, the ladies and gentlemen would typically split up and withdraw to separate spaces for digestion, relaxation and conversation… Later rejoining each other for the evening’s entertainment. Here men would drink brandy, cognac, or other fine spirits. Smoke a cigar or two, or a pipe. And talk about their businesses, hobbies and sporting activities. It’s a place where status driven individuals could engage in friendly one upmanship and forge business relationships.

To that end, the room has masculine themed decorations. It’s a counterpart to the feminine French design of the Gold Reception Room across the hall… A Den with Germanic flair with a Gothic atmosphere. Hand worked Santo Domingo mahogany is prevalent throughout the room, in use as four-inch-thick paneling, ceiling arches, and intricate carvings. Its décor is related to hunting and sportsmanship, with the animal mounts and guns prominently displayed on the walls. Mr. Vanderbilt was not an avid huntsman, forbidding hunting on his property. He preferred fly fishing and sailing. The animal heads and swiss wheel lock rifles are ornaments furnished as interior decoration. The books on the shelves are also a part of this room’s design.

This 54 room mansion was primarily intended as a retreat for Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt. Without weekend guests, this is the room that Frederick and Louise would use for companionable leisure time. They would read by a fire, write correspondences to family or associates… And they both had their preferred seats.

Description

The Den was a place where men could lounge after dinner, drinking fine beverages out of snifters and smoking big blue clouds of tobacco. When no guests were in the home, both Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt relaxed in this room. More often than not, this Den would function like a family room does today.

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