Certificate of Excellence
primary
Mary Okill
(about 1786 - 1859, New York)
DateJanuary 1855
Place MadeNew York City, New York, United States, North America
MediumInk on paper
Dimensions16.5 x 22.4 cm (6 1/2 x 8 13/16 in.)
ClassificationsArchival Material
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberARC.008657
eMuseum ID727251
EmbARK ObjectID24956
TMS Source ID9156
Last Updated8/9/24
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryReticent when asked about her childhood, Isabella Stewart Gardner nevertheless saved a number of books, albums, and paper ephemera as relics of her youth. She retained several certificates like this one from the school run by Miss Okill in New York City. A rebellious student by her own admission, young Belle Gardner was awarded a “premium” “if she remain till the close of school to receive it.”
BibliographyNotesNathaniel Silver and Diana Seave Greenwald. Isabella Stewart Gardner: A Life (Boston, 2022), p.28-29, fig. 9.
MarksNotesPrinted (surrounding illustration of Minerva/Athena bestowing knowledge): Virtous emulation crowned with honor. / I.R.Smith del / Daughter receive thy reward. / Peter Maverick sc
Inscribed in ink (above illustration): Excellence.
Inscribed in ink (underneath illustration): This certificate will / entitle Miss I. Stewart to a / premium on the first of July next for / Excellence in Reviews if she remain / till the close of school to receive it. / Mary Okill / January 1855
Inscribed in ink (above illustration): Excellence.
Inscribed in ink (underneath illustration): This certificate will / entitle Miss I. Stewart to a / premium on the first of July next for / Excellence in Reviews if she remain / till the close of school to receive it. / Mary Okill / January 1855
ProvenanceNotesAwarded by Mary Okill to Isabella Stewart Gardner in January 1855.
The Stewart Society
19 April 1921
