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Object Timeline

-0001

1962

  • We acquired this object.

2013

2014

2025

  • You found it!

Calligraphy, Certificate of Authorization for the Title of "Von" for Johann Ferdinand Richter

This is a Calligraphy. It was engraved by Franz Mayer. It is dated April 7, 1785 and we acquired it in 1962. Its medium is pen and ink, brush and watercolor over engraving on vellum, bound in velvet-covered boards with imperial seal in brass case. It is a part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design department.

It is credited Museum purchase through gift of Erskine Hewitt.

  • Desk
  • mahogany, burl walnut, burl elm, rosewood veneers, maple, pine, ash, gilt metal.
  • Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 1931-95-13
  •
  • Drawing, Pope Receiving Visitor
  • pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, graphite on cream laid paper, lined.
  • Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund.
  • 1938-88-7079

Our curators have highlighted 3 objects that are related to this one.

  • Knife Case
  • silk, metallic yarns.
  • Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt.
  • 1931-73-146
  •
  • Panel
  • silk, metallic.
  • Gift of John Pierpont Morgan.
  • 1902-1-448

Its dimensions are

(closed): 37 x 33 cm (14 9/16 in. x 13 in.) (diam. of case): 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in.)

Cite this object as

Calligraphy, Certificate of Authorization for the Title of "Von" for Johann Ferdinand Richter; Engraved by Franz Mayer (Austrian, active 1700s); Austria; pen and ink, brush and watercolor over engraving on vellum, bound in velvet-covered boards with imperial seal in brass case; (closed): 37 x 33 cm (14 9/16 in. x 13 in.) (diam. of case): 14.9 cm (5 7/8 in.); Museum purchase through gift of Erskine Hewitt; 1962-194-1

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Maira Kalman Selects.

This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18443489/ |title=Calligraphy, Certificate of Authorization for the Title of "Von" for Johann Ferdinand Richter |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=6 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>