The New York First Company - Impeccable Gifts and Unique Wonders

The Great Seal was finalized and approved six years later on June 20, 1782. The seal reflects the beliefs and values that the Founding Fathers wanted to pass on to their descendents, and became the inspiration for the Presidential Seal.

A shield with thirteen red and white stripes covers the eagle's breast. The shield is supported solely by the American eagle to denote that Americans should rely on their own virtue. The red and white stripes of the shield represent the states united under and supporting the blue, representing the President and Congress. The color white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Above the eagle's head is a cloud surrounding a blue field containing thirteen stars, which forms a constellation. The constellation denotes that a new country is taking its place among other nations.

The American bald eagle holds in his right talon an olive branch which denotes peace. In his sinister talon he holds a bundle of thirteen arrows. The arrows denote war. The first seal had the eagle facing the olive branch, although just before America's entry into World War I the seal was changed so the eagle faced the opposite direction. It was not until 1948 that President Truman shifted the eagle's gaze back to the olive branch as symbolic of a nation "both on the march and dedicated to peace."

The custom-made, deep blue rug is emblazoned with the original Great Seal of the United States of America. Five feet in diameter, highest-quality construction in exquisitely hand-tufted wool, incorporating multiple pounds of yarn tufts per square inch. The result is as beautiful as it is unusual.