Mirrors at the level of the gas fixtures were used, as were mirrors low to the ground. Sometimes they were built into furniture or into fireplace covers like the ones on display in the mansion. The covers, which were placed in front of the open fireplace any time it was not in use, were not used for women to check their ankle exposure, as an old wives' tale suggests, but to provide more light for everyone in the parlor. The entire Bellamy house was plumbed for gas when finished in 1861 and both wall-mounted and ceiling gas fixtures were placed in hallways and the nine bedrooms. The gasolier in the Bellamy's family parlor, shown below left, was made by Cornelius and Baker of Philadelphia. It is especially appealing with little cherubs blowing horns and decorative elements, including circus elephants. Given Dr. Bellamy's politics, it may be no coincidence that this gasolier is quite similar to the one also made by Cornelius and Baker in the White House of the Confederacy in Richmond, Va. (1861-1865). This gasolier is possibly one of seven attributed in 1896 to the original furnishings of the White House.
The Mirrors
Each mirrored fireplace cover in the Bellamy parlors has the maker’s mark “T. Bent & Son N.Y No. 18” on its back. Thomas Bent established the Globe Iron Foundry in 1843 in New York, NY. The company was well known for their stable and kennel fixtures and fittings. In 1860 Dr. and Mrs. Bellamy may have visited the Globe Iron Foundry at their 26th Street Manhattan shop to purchase not only the fireplace covers but also stable fittings for the carriage house and possibly decorative iron benches for outside. Thomas Bent died in 1870 and his son Samuel took over the company. By 1890 Samuel had moved the foundry from New York City to Port Chester where it became Samuel S. Bent & Son. (Source: The Iron Age, Vol. 46, September 1890.)
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