Was anyone else curious about that silver thing

[PatSeg]

on Pelosi's platform during the SOTU address? I Googled it today:

Curious as to what is the silver-looking artifact sitting in front of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during President Biden's State of the Union address?

It's a coin-silver inkstand, and it's considered to be the oldest surviving artifact of the House of Representatives — dating back 1810-1820, according to the chamber's archives. Traditionally, before the speaker calls each session of the House to order, the silver inkstand is placed on the raised platform.

Created by J. Leonard, a Washington silversmith and watchmaker, historians say that it has been a part of the House since 1819 — but that its origins are mysterious.

The House says the inkstand contains three replacement crystal inkwells and is "adorned on both sides by swags and eagles." Each foot of the tray has a snake winding around it, representing both unity and wisdom.

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/01/1083865116/nancy-pelosi-inkstand-state-of-the-union-2022

I'm glad I looked it up. It was far more interesting than I'd expected. Apparently it has been there before, but I never noticed it.

[Faux pas]

1. Cool!

Thanks for the info.

[PatSeg]

15. You're welcome

I figured other people might have noticed it as well. I was going to get up and take a closer look at the TV screen, but I was concentrating on what the President was saying.

[EndlessWire]

2. TY. That IS interesting. n/t

[peggysue2]

3. Thanks for the research and history lesson

I love this kind of stuff!

[PatSeg]

16. Same here

I don't know why I never noticed it before.

[Brother Buzz]

4. It's a good thing it wasn't set out for display on 06 January 2021

[PatSeg]

17. What a depressing thought

The lack of respect was so disturbing.

[barbtries]

29. my first thought as well.

she keeps it safe, good idea

[BumRushDaShow]

40. The thugs broke into the Senate chamber but I don't think they ever got into the House chamber

where that would have been. And yes it was there that day -



So I expect like the ceremonial boxes with the Electoral College ballots that were taken out by Senate aides -



other items like that were judiciously removed by the House personnel.

[Brother Buzz]

43. You're right (LOL, as usual), and the silver inkwell was out on display that night

[BumRushDaShow]

44. I know I just never noticed all the stuff that usually sits on the dais

except maybe some bottled water and the gavel.

[Liberal In Texas]

5. I did not know that.

Glad the Jan 6 traitors didn't steal it.

[PittBlue]

6. Thank you for sharing that interesting fact. It is beautiful.

[MuseRider]

7. I have never noticed it either!

Maybe it is usually kept on a lower level but Pelosi decided to show it off? A lovely piece. I hope to see that again and will not be distracted again wondering.

[CousinIT]

8. I def noticed it. Figured it was an inkwell/stand

from old days. But couldn't get a good look at it. Thanks for the info! And the pic. Very interesting.

[SeattleVet]

9. Here's the info from the House History Collection, with some additional photos.

It's placed on the rostrum before the Speaker calls the House session into order.

https://history.house.gov/Collection/Detail/29585

[mrsadm]

10. I love learning about historical things like this; they have an aura of the past.

Thanks for posting!

[PatSeg]

18. Yes, that is it for me

Knowing that something like that has been held and used by people in the past is fascinating to me.

[Scalded Nun]

11. That sure looks art Nouveau-ish

[soldierant]

12. Probably influenced by Palissy.

I'd expect flowers in Art Nouveau - but yes, there are resemblances.

[3catwoman3]

38. Art Nouveau was between 1890-1910, so this item...

…predates that by several decades.

[pansypoo53219]

49. OH OH OH! its biedermeuer! early 1800's napoleonic influenced. they had some wild designs.

milw art museum had a biedermeuer show. a wall of chairs, you's swear deco. crazy 'love seats'.

[11 Bravo]

13. How did Trump or one of his spawn fail to make off with that?

[KS Toronado]

25. Did Nancy take that with her Jan 6th for safekeeping?

[mrsadm]

36. It's not gold so he didn't think it was worth anything.

[soldierant]

14. I am delighted to see Democrats using symbolism

to claim that we are the actual inheritors of the actual traditions of the Founders.

As opposed to "Conservatives" who do not want or try to conserve anything, but instead to destroy.

[PatSeg]

26. They are "opportunists" actually

They bear little resemblance to conservatives throughout history. They are often more "destructors" than "conservers".

[mysteryowl]

19. Does anyone remember the "West Wing" episode about 'vermay'?

I might not be spelling it right. Maybe this is the "vermay"

[PatSeg]

23. Oh no, I don't

I've seen every episode numerous times. What was the "vermay"?

[mysteryowl]

24. There was a small protest of about 6 people at the white house about the vermay.

It was a hilarious episode where the reporter (Danny) was playing the press secretary (C.J.) by asking about it during a press conference. It caused her to look into it.

[mysteryowl]

28. OMG! the odds. I found the "Vermeil" episode!

Season 1 episode 7 - "The State Dinner".

[PatSeg]

32. Oh, thank you

I'm going to check it out. I loved with C.J. went off on such tangents.

[3catwoman3]

30. It's "vermeil."

A metal, such as silver or bronze, that has been gilded - given a light gold coating. Definitely an obscure word.

The only reason I know this is my now-husband once gave me some earrings that were made this way, and they had a little card that explained it.

And I do remember that episode, at least enough to remember the word being used and being pleased that I knew what it meant.

[PatSeg]

35. Now there is a bit of trivia

that I will store away and probably never use! Thank you!

[3catwoman3]

37. You're welcome. Maybe it will show up as a Jeopardy question...

…someday.

[PatSeg]

39. Ha, ha, ha........Someday!

And I'll be able to credit you and MysteryOwl!

First time I've seen a use for the smilie!

[mysteryowl]

45. It would be a good word for Wordle

[PatSeg]

47. Ha, ha, ha!!!

[BaeBnakes99]

20. 🤩👍

Guess I better get commenting! 👋😁 This is really cool!

[mysteryowl]

21. Welcome to DU

[mysteryowl]

27. A good place to post at for awhile is the lounge. you will gain friends that way.

[PatSeg]

22. My goodness, it took you three weeks!

Welcome to DU! I didn't say too much in the beginning either. The beer toast was a great icebreaker though.

[3catwoman3]

31. Welcome aboard.

DU is very educational.

Oops - this was supposed to be a reply to post #21.

[niyad]

50. Welcome to our DU family.

[mountain grammy]

33. Great piece of history, thank you..

If republicans get back in power they'll probably sell it..suprised it survived Newt.

[PatSeg]

34. Oh, I'd forgotten about Newt

He was truly an embarrassment.

[malaise]

41. Very cool

Thanks

[PatSeg]

42. Hi there!

You're welcome!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

46. Thank you!

I wondered about it, but didn't have a chance to look it up.

[PatSeg]

48. It was driving me nuts,

but not enough to pause the TV, get up, and take a closer look. Probably wouldn't have done much good anyway! Glad to see I wasn't the only one who was curious.

[mjvpi]

51. Salt, pepper and Thomas Jefferson's seasoning salt.

[PatSeg]

53. That IS what it looks like!

[Cha]

52. Glad you were curious, Pat..

This is Grand.. and Brava to Nancy for displaying it.. Maalo!

[PatSeg]

54. Nancy is just too cool!

[Cha]

58. Indeed!

[dchill]

55. Indeed I did notice it! I had not noticed it before.

[OneCrazyDiamond]

56. Coin silver

is a silver alloy with 2.5% less silver than British Sterling.
Consisting of 90% silver and 10% base metal, usually copper.
It was the standard alloy used in US coins From the beginning until 1964 when the practice stopped.

[SWBTATTReg]

57. Thanks so much for the wonderful History Lesson!

[PatSeg]

59. You're welcome