"Filoli Reception Room south wall with large tapestry hanging at center. Partial view of folding screen on left and arm chairs on each side. Tall ornate gilt stands on both sides of tapestry. Long rectangular table under tapestry with ornate clock in center and two figurines and two decorative boxes on each side. Tapestry on table and small needlepoint bench in front of table. Upholstered side chair with wooden arms in front of window in southwest corner and sconce on west wall. Floral damask sofa along west wall. Lower portion of chandelier at top of photo. Large tapestry rug centered on floor with no furniture in center of room. Believe to be early Roth period just after they moved in."

A Lost Treasure, Serendipitously Returned!

November 18, 2024

By Kevin Wisney, Curator & Director of Collections At Filoli, we’re on a mission to restore the lost treasures of our Historic House collection. We scour the archive and historic…

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Nature’s Conflict, in Bronze: A New Work by the Bourns’ Favorite Sculptor Joins Filoli’s Collection

June 12, 2024

Curator Kevin Wisney recently had a big success in his quest to return Filoli’s Lost Treasures to the historic House. Interpretation Manager Willa Brock sat down with him to learn…

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Recollecting the House

September 12, 2023

One of the most satisfying parts of my job is recollecting items that once lived here. Every time I feel very much as if another piece of the puzzle is…

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Object Spotlight: James Washington Jr. Granite Sculpture

May 13, 2021

This oval granite stone with its graceful curving lines captures the essence of a sleeping owl, with its beak tucked under its wing. The artist is the African American sculptor…

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Object Spotlight: 19th Century Snuff Box

March 12, 2021

Within Filoli’s Museum Object Collection is a small group of 18th to 19th century snuff boxes and trinketboxes originally meant to contain a day’s worth of snuff; a smokeless tobacco…

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Object Spotlight: Reticulated Chestnut Basket

January 13, 2021

Filoli’s Museum Object Collection contains hundreds of porcelain and ceramic objects. One of the largersub collections within the collection is Chinese Export porcelain. Which is fitting since both the Bourns…