Domestic Furnishings

Washboards, armchairs, lamps, and pots and pans may not seem to be museum pieces. But they are invaluable evidence of how most people lived day to day, last week or three centuries ago. The Museum's collections of domestic furnishings comprise more than 40,000 artifacts from American households. Large and small, they include four houses, roughly 800 pieces of furniture, fireplace equipment, spinning wheels, ceramics and glass, family portraits, and much more.

The Arthur and Edna Greenwood Collection contains more than 2,000 objects from New England households from colonial times to mid-1800s. From kitchens of the past, the collections hold some 3,300 artifacts, ranging from refrigerators to spatulas. The lighting devices alone number roughly 3,000 lamps, candleholders, and lanterns.

Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 34,726) of a portable bake oven, made by George W. Ayres of Rahway, NJ, and patented on March 18, 1862.
Description
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 34,726) of a portable bake oven, made by George W. Ayres of Rahway, NJ, and patented on March 18, 1862. Consists of a double-shelled, round-arched body with door at one end on a flat, hollow base containing two furnaces or fireboxes with perforated sides, one running the width of each end, and a diagonal reflector between them. The inner shell is a flue surrounding the oven with two chimneys of smoke pipes. The outer shell is an insulating cavity to be filled with sand; openings for filling and emptying its contents are at the middle of each side. No marks on object, but paper tags tied with red wove ribbon to one smoke pipe and stored with object are printed and handwritten with patent information and object numbers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1862-03-18
patent date
1862-03-18
inventor
Ayers, George W.
ID Number
DL.251517
accession number
48890
patent number
34726
catalog number
251517
Life-size, pale yellow berry, probably a strawberry; truncated cone shape with dimpled top surface and rough underside.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size, pale yellow berry, probably a strawberry; truncated cone shape with dimpled top surface and rough underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.19
catalog number
60.0252.19
accession number
67038
Color print of a whaling scene. Huge whale in the foreground is being harpooned by a whaler while five others steady the boat. In the background is a whale boat that is being capsized by a whale and three whaling vessels.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a whaling scene. Huge whale in the foreground is being harpooned by a whaler while five others steady the boat. In the background is a whale boat that is being capsized by a whale and three whaling vessels.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1862
copyright holder; publisher
Charles Taber & Co.
maker
Endicott and Company
original artist
Gifford, Robert Swain
Beest, Albert Van
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3249
catalog number
60.3249
Life-size yellow apricot with faint red blush.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size yellow apricot with faint red blush.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.26
catalog number
60.0252.26
accession number
67038
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1855 - 1866
ID Number
DL.61.0394C
catalog number
61.0394C
accession number
232677
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 77,702) of a two-pot, vegetable steamer or cooker, made by Heinrich A. Zopff of Milwaukee, WI, and patented on May 5, 1868.
Description
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 77,702) of a two-pot, vegetable steamer or cooker, made by Heinrich A. Zopff of Milwaukee, WI, and patented on May 5, 1868. The upper pot is double-walled with a perforated liner and covered conical bottom for catching the steam, while the lower pot has a copper pit bottom. Both are wire-rimmed with two, horizontal, arched strap handles and vertical folded seams. Concave cover has an arched strap handle, folded edge, and soft-soldered lapped-seam flange. Brass oval metal tag on upper pot is engraved in script "H.A. Zopff / Milwaukee / Wisconsin". Two darkened paper tags tied to one handle with red or purple (faded) wove ribbon and white string are printed and handwritten with the patent information.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
patent date
1868-05-05
ID Number
1989.0066.08
catalog number
1989.0066.08
accession number
1989.0066
patent number
77702
Small, horizontally-seamed pitcher with an inset, V-shaped spout covered by a rounded, hinged lid with double-scroll knop and a tapered strap handle soft-soldered to body at rim and near middle. Lid connects to handle by a short triangular tab.
Description
Small, horizontally-seamed pitcher with an inset, V-shaped spout covered by a rounded, hinged lid with double-scroll knop and a tapered strap handle soft-soldered to body at rim and near middle. Lid connects to handle by a short triangular tab. Body is made from two truncated cylinders with vertical folded seams joined at their wide ends; flat bottom with folded edge. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
DL.257491.0004
catalog number
257491.0004
accession number
257491
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1860s
ID Number
CE.P-535
catalog number
P-535
accession number
225282
Repousse chased, octagonal box with hinged lid featuring a footed basket of flowers in a circular, domed and beaded, central reserve surrounded by four raised ovals in shields separated by pairs of scrolling sprays.
Description
Repousse chased, octagonal box with hinged lid featuring a footed basket of flowers in a circular, domed and beaded, central reserve surrounded by four raised ovals in shields separated by pairs of scrolling sprays. Box has an oval shield flanked by opposing C scrolls and roses on front and back, a garland of roses on both flat sides, and a handled basket of roses on the four angled sides. Gold washed interior. Flat, slightly projecting bottom is struck incuse "800" next to two illegible marks, one pictorial and the other possibly has letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1745
catalog number
60.1745
accession number
200122
Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.Currently not on view
Description
Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.60
catalog number
60.0252.60
accession number
67038
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.13
catalog number
60.0252.13
accession number
67038
Flat oval tray with molded sides and large beaded rim on four applied oval boss feet. Well obverse is engraved with an oval band of trumpet-shaped leaves and flowers sprouting scrolls around a foliate script "W" at center.
Description
Flat oval tray with molded sides and large beaded rim on four applied oval boss feet. Well obverse is engraved with an oval band of trumpet-shaped leaves and flowers sprouting scrolls around a foliate script "W" at center. Circular tag affixed to underside of well at one end is embossed "* ROGERS BROS. MFG CO. * / HARTFORD CONN. (in outer circle)" and "****** / EXTRA / HEAVY / PLATE. / ******* (in inner circle)". Clipped-corner rectangular, red-bordered white paper label affixed at center of underside.
Maker is Rogers Brothers Manufacturing Co. (William, Asa H., and Simeon S. Rogers) of Hartford, CT; 1853-1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1853 - 1861
owner; user
Washington, Mary Anne Hammond
ID Number
DL.60.1001
catalog number
60.1001
accession number
71656
Two-handled, flower- and leaf-encrusted wax vase holding a bouquet of polychrome wax magnolia flowers and leaves, the entire display covered by a clear colorless glass dome or shade on a flat circular wood base; no feet.
Description
Two-handled, flower- and leaf-encrusted wax vase holding a bouquet of polychrome wax magnolia flowers and leaves, the entire display covered by a clear colorless glass dome or shade on a flat circular wood base; no feet. Finely ground mica flakes coat the vase while dried moss fills the ground. No marks.
Maker is Melissa Ann (Hussey) Wood at "The Shadows", 617 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1859-1865
associated date
1859
ID Number
DL.223294.03
catalog number
223294.03
accession number
223294
Circular spice box with scrolled hasp lock on front, domed lid with wire ring handle and one hinge at back; interior is divided into six, equal-size, wedge-shape compartments radiating from a central circular one that holds a hand-punched, cylindrical nutmeg or spice grater.
Description
Circular spice box with scrolled hasp lock on front, domed lid with wire ring handle and one hinge at back; interior is divided into six, equal-size, wedge-shape compartments radiating from a central circular one that holds a hand-punched, cylindrical nutmeg or spice grater. Both lid and box are made of three pieces, two halves for sides are joined by a soft-soldered lapped seam on lid and folded seam on box, and lid top and flat bottom with folded edges; lid has a wire-rolled rim while box has a folded rim with bead below. Grater has a soft-soldered lapped seam and cap inset at one end. Scrolled banner painted in white on box front. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820 - 1860
ID Number
DL.257491.0044
catalog number
257491.0044
accession number
257491
Tall, repousse chased, sexfoil or six-lobed container with a low-domed, crimped-edge, friction-fit cover.
Description
Tall, repousse chased, sexfoil or six-lobed container with a low-domed, crimped-edge, friction-fit cover. Both body and cover are covered with leafy spirals and scrolls against a textured ground; three scenes (of a house, swan swimming, and doe or fawn in forest) appear in central reserves on every other lobe. Underside of flat bottom is struck with a raised geometric figure in a square at center flanked by two arched stamps containing "A / 1 8 / 6 5" with a crossed circle between them.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865
ID Number
DL.383721
catalog number
383721
accession number
166645
Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with black pistil and pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.Currently not on view
Description
Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with black pistil and pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.61
catalog number
60.0252.61
accession number
67038
Life-size dried apricot, semicircular shape with convex depression on one side; dull, drab yellow-orange.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size dried apricot, semicircular shape with convex depression on one side; dull, drab yellow-orange.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.04
catalog number
60.0252.04
accession number
67038
Life-size orange, painted yellow. Seamed horizontally at middle.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size orange, painted yellow. Seamed horizontally at middle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.37
catalog number
60.0252.37
accession number
67038
In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter.
Description (Brief)
In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter. By the mid-1800s, decorative paperweights produced by glassmakers in Europe and the United States became highly desired collectibles.
Decorative glass paperweights reflected the 19th-century taste for intricate, over-the-top designs. Until the spread of textiles colorized with synthetic dyes, ceramics and glass were among the few objects that added brilliant color to a 19th-century Victorian interior. The popularity of these paperweights in the 1800s testifies to the sustained cultural interest in hand craftsmanship during an age of rapid industrialization.
Glass production at Saint Louis was authorized by Louis XV in 1767. By 1782 the firm was creating high quality glass crystal, progressing into pressed glass in the 1800s. St. Louis produced paperweights from 1845 to about 1867.
A blue, double Clematis is suspended over a ground formed by an overlay of amber-colored glass in this faceted St. Louis paperweight.
date made
1845-1867
maker
St. Louis
ID Number
CE.60.111
catalog number
60.111
accession number
211475
Dinner knife, one of a two piece dinner set with matching carving set (1986.0531.039-.42). Upturned steel blade with rounded tip. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel fitted into a squared block ivory handle with blunt butt.
Description
Dinner knife, one of a two piece dinner set with matching carving set (1986.0531.039-.42). Upturned steel blade with rounded tip. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel fitted into a squared block ivory handle with blunt butt. Scratched and stained steel, ivory is yellowed with crack down one side.
Blade is stamped: “W&S . BUTCHER/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is W[illiam] & S[amuel] Butcher, active ca 1819-1947 in Sheffield, England.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1844- 1868
ID Number
1986.0531.041
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.041
Life-size, pale red berry, probably a strawberry; truncated cone shape with dimpled top surface and rough underside.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size, pale red berry, probably a strawberry; truncated cone shape with dimpled top surface and rough underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.06
catalog number
60.0252.06
accession number
67038
Handleless seamed cylindrical cup with Rococo-style, bright-cut and engine-turned engraving on its straight tapered sides; decoration includes two scrolled reserves, one engraved "E.C.W." in script, separated by two panels with floral pendants at top.
Description
Handleless seamed cylindrical cup with Rococo-style, bright-cut and engine-turned engraving on its straight tapered sides; decoration includes two scrolled reserves, one engraved "E.C.W." in script, separated by two panels with floral pendants at top. Applied molded rim and foot ring, both with beading; flat bottom set in. Bottom underside struck once with a vertically-oriented mark of "T / E / & / Co" over a circle and a diamond or lozenge containing "1 / 5 7 / 8"; "11" stamped sideways at right. One of two monogrammed beakers by the same maker in two similar patterns, DL*60.0989 and DL*60.1060.
Maker is Theodore Evans and Company of New York, NY, circa 1855-1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1857
presentation date
ca 1860
owner; user
Bellamy, Ellen Washington
ID Number
DL.60.1060
catalog number
60.1060
accession number
71656
Tapered oval teapot with ribbed sides, tapered spout and low-domed, hinged lid topped by circular, pierced, leafy knop. Spurred, D- or ear-shaped handle has graduated dots below thumb piece, ivory-colored insulators and trumpet-shaped, gadrooned struts. Body perforated at spout.
Description
Tapered oval teapot with ribbed sides, tapered spout and low-domed, hinged lid topped by circular, pierced, leafy knop. Spurred, D- or ear-shaped handle has graduated dots below thumb piece, ivory-colored insulators and trumpet-shaped, gadrooned struts. Body perforated at spout. Underside of flat bottom is struck incuse "4 / A1 / 416". Part of teapot, sugar bowl and creamer set, 1991.0825.05-.07.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860s
ID Number
1991.0825.05
catalog number
1991.0825.05
accession number
1991.0825
Two-handled, bell- or pear-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short, flared base with cable-banded collar and flat band at seam above base. Inset, rounded cover topped by ribbed ball-and-urn finial. Two, spurred, S-scroll, D- or ear-shaped handles have short terminals.
Description
Two-handled, bell- or pear-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short, flared base with cable-banded collar and flat band at seam above base. Inset, rounded cover topped by ribbed ball-and-urn finial. Two, spurred, S-scroll, D- or ear-shaped handles have short terminals. Flat bottom with raised circle at center. No marks. From a four-piece coffee and tea service; tea- and coffeepot are DL*61.0066A-B, sugar bowl is DL*61.0064A, and creamer is DL*61.0064B.
The tea- and coffeepot are stamped "E.B. MANNINGS / PATENT", for Edward B. Manning of Cromwell, CT, who received U.S. Patent No. 35,457, dated June 3, 1862, for his "improvement in tea and coffee pots." Manufacturer not known.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1862
date matching tea- and coffeepot patented
1862-06-03
ID Number
DL.61.0064A
catalog number
61.0064
accession number
207405

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