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.

Small, heart-shaped padlock with steel shackle, locking mechanism and small key with double circle opening in oval bow. Front of body is stamped incuse "M. W. & CO" in arched roman letters above keyhole. Alms box and padlock DL*245425.0078-.0079 were used together.
Description

Small, heart-shaped padlock with steel shackle, locking mechanism and small key with double circle opening in oval bow. Front of body is stamped incuse "M. W. & CO" in arched roman letters above keyhole. Alms box and padlock DL*245425.0078-.0079 were used together. Maker is Mallory Wheeler & Co., a lock and hardware manufacturer in New Haven, CT, 1834-1913.

Collection boxes have been used for centuries to solicit money for religious institutions and charities. Even those with little to spare might contribute coins anonymously to a strategically placed box. Unfamiliar in some American communities in the 1700s, these boxes became more commonly used in the United States in the 1800s.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1834 - 1913
ID Number
DL.245425.0079
catalog number
245425.0079
accession number
245425
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
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.
This paperweight is attributed to Whitall, Tatum & Company of Millville, New Jersey. The firm was formed in 1901 and employed first-rate craftsmen who created outstanding paperweights.
This pedestal paperweight features an opaque, rich yellow twelve-petal flower, freely suspended in a clear glass ball. The pointed center flower petals suggest that it is the work of glassmaker Emil Stanger.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905-1912
maker
Whitall, Tatum and Company
ID Number
CE.60.96
catalog number
60.96
accession number
211475
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910s
ID Number
PG.78.38.02
catalog number
78.38.2
accession number
2018.0225
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.888
catalog number
888
accession number
58571
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.Currently not on view
Description
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
1860 - 1910
ID Number
DL.60.0975B
catalog number
60.0975B
accession number
229362
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.903
catalog number
903
accession number
58571
Rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid covered in overlapping, round-edged and veined, repousse leaves, out of which a frog pops its head on one side. Crosshatched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior.
Description
Rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid covered in overlapping, round-edged and veined, repousse leaves, out of which a frog pops its head on one side. Crosshatched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior. Collar struck incuse above frog with a trademark "S" in winged oval, "STERLING" in sans serif letters and "78".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1915
ID Number
DL.60.2145
catalog number
60.2145
accession number
200122
Spot-hammered bowl with wide, folded and angled rim, rounded flaring sides, and flat fishtail or shield-shape handle pierced with four slots; engraved on front of bowl "ELIZABETH REARDON / JANUARY 1 - 1919" in serif letters.
Description
Spot-hammered bowl with wide, folded and angled rim, rounded flaring sides, and flat fishtail or shield-shape handle pierced with four slots; engraved on front of bowl "ELIZABETH REARDON / JANUARY 1 - 1919" in serif letters. Underside of flat bottom struck with four incuse marks, the Gorham trademark (lion passant facing right in clipped-corner square, anchor in shield, and gothic or Old English "G" in clipped-corner square) to left of "STERLING" in sans serif letters, "2531A" in serif letters, and scimitar date mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917
date engraved
1919-01-01
maker
Gorham Manufacturing Company
ID Number
1992.0071.01
catalog number
1992.0071.01
accession number
1992.0071
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.900
catalog number
900
accession number
58571
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
est. 1899
1914-1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.891
catalog number
891
accession number
58571
Side-loading electric toaster (A) with power cord (B). Rectangular body, with doors of sheet metal (nickel-plated steel) on either side, attached porcelain knob handle on the top of each door.
Description
Side-loading electric toaster (A) with power cord (B). Rectangular body, with doors of sheet metal (nickel-plated steel) on either side, attached porcelain knob handle on the top of each door. Door pulls open and closes to hold toast in place, against metal wires which are heated by two interior white ceramic heating elements. Handle at top, two straps of metal with turned wooden grip in center, black. Base is cast iron, painted black. Power cord attaches on side. Bottom of base is stamped: "SIMPLEX SHCo. QUALITY/211 V 110 4.5/S 377673".
Power cord (B) is black, white, and gray fabric, molded bakelite, metal coil near plug. Plug is debossed: "RODALE/5A.250V.10A.125V."
Model T-211.
Patent US 951765 A, March 8, 1910, James I. Ayer, assignor to Simplex Electric Heating Company, Boston, Massachusetts, for "Electric toaster"
Maker is Simplex Electric Heating Company, Boston, Massachusetts (circa 1895-1917, when Edison Electric Appliance Company purchased it. The name was carried on for a short period of time after the purchase).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1909-1917
maker
Simplex Electric Company
ID Number
1990.0176.01
catalog number
1990.0176.01
accession number
1990.0176
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.909
catalog number
909
accession number
58571
Brown-painted, cylindrical container with friction-fit beadwork cover featuring a floral spray in shades of translucent brown and opaque white against an opaque medium blue ground.
Description
Brown-painted, cylindrical container with friction-fit beadwork cover featuring a floral spray in shades of translucent brown and opaque white against an opaque medium blue ground. Container and cover band are accented with gold penciling or pin stripes, and each made in two pieces, with top ring and flat bottom folded over soft-soldered lapped seam sides. Cover has a rolled wire rim; top edge of container is folded with raised bead below. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865 - 1915
ID Number
DL.257491.0010
catalog number
257491.0010
accession number
257491
Large, waisted or incurve-sided, cylindrical ring or stand holding a clear, cobalt blue, blown circular bowl with everted rim.
Description
Large, waisted or incurve-sided, cylindrical ring or stand holding a clear, cobalt blue, blown circular bowl with everted rim. Ring features a pierced and repousse chased, rococo-style design of C scrolls and trailing flowers interrupted by two asymmetrical C scroll reserves, one engraved with a gothic or Old English "C". Outside of foot ring is struck on opposite sides "E. JOHNSON L\TD" in incuse sans serif letters and with a series of four hallmarks in clipped-corner squares, "EJ" superimposed, Hibernia seated to the left, a crowned harp, and a raised gothic or Old English "Q".
Maker is Edmond Johnson, Ltd. of Dublin, Ireland. Firm dated back to the 1760s, but became Edmond Johnson in 1870 and Edmond Johnson Ltd. in 1902; conjoined "EJ" mark used after 1893.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1911-1912
ID Number
DL.64.0921
catalog number
64.0921
accession number
260943
Rotary style food mixer, whip, or egg beater (eggbeater). Thin bent wire blades, oval in shape. Heavy cast iron cog and crankwheel at top, molded, with metal arm and wooden handle, laquered black.
Description
Rotary style food mixer, whip, or egg beater (eggbeater). Thin bent wire blades, oval in shape. Heavy cast iron cog and crankwheel at top, molded, with metal arm and wooden handle, laquered black. Heavy cast iron lid/base (black enamel) fits over top of accompanying container, thick (flint) clear transparent glass, molded, square, with flared base and chamfered corners. Lid is embossed: "SILVER NO 3/MEASURING/GLASS EGG/BEATER". Bottom of glass is embossed: "SILVERS/TRADE/MARK/BROOKLYN" inside of circle image, banner on top and bottom of line image of Brooklyn bridge. Body of glass container is embossed across bottom of all four sides: "THE SILVER/NEW/EGG/BEATER"; and embossed down each side with a different measurement: "POUND/FLOUR/SIFTED/EVEN FULL", "1 QUART/EVEN FULL", "LIQUID WEIGHTS", "EVEN FULL/8' 'T' 'CUPS OR/4 COFFEE CUPS", along with measurements in cups, pounds, pint, gills, and ounces.
This mixer was described in a 1910 Silver (& Co.) Catalog: "Square jar wire whip style. Combination egg beater and measuring glass receptacle. Equally good for beating eggs, whipping cream or making any kind of cakes, custards, etc." It was listed in the 1918 Sears Catalog for a price of $1.45.
Related patents: US 332375 A; December 15, 1885, Edwin Baltzley, Washington, District of Columbia, for "Culinary Beater"; US 1220928 A, March 27, 1917, Edwin Baltzley and Louis E. Baltzley, Weehawken, New Jersey, for "Culinary beater".
Maker is The Silver and Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1910-1918
ID Number
DL.322793.05
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
405
catalog number
322793.05
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and cast circular flared foot; quarter gill size. Two pairs of thick and thin scored lines around shoulder. Tapered, S-scroll handle with incurved thumbrest and lower pointed terminal with oval attachment at seam.
Description
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and cast circular flared foot; quarter gill size. Two pairs of thick and thin scored lines around shoulder. Tapered, S-scroll handle with incurved thumbrest and lower pointed terminal with oval attachment at seam. Front of body is stamped "1/4 GILL" in incuse sans serif letters. Rim front has crowned "ER" verification mark for Birmingham ("6") and an unidentified "L"-shaped mark. Bottom interior with diamond, Y-in-triangle and X maker's mark.
Gaskell & Chambers was established circa 1892 in Birmingham, England; manufacturer of metal bar and drink dispensing equipment (pewter, copper, etc.). They likely made these measures using molds originally owned by James Yates (working under his own name, 1860-1891). Although Gaskell & Chambers did not intend to deceive, their measures have been sold as or faked to be by Yates.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-1870
1900-1910
ID Number
DL.67.0141
catalog number
67.0141
accession number
250853
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
est. 1899
1914-1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.809
catalog number
809
accession number
58456
Single-burner gas stove and heater consisting of a cylindrical, perforated outer shell or casing containing a conical incandescent member; brass supply valve with threaded connector at back. Rubber hose wrapped around base. Cast, removable grill top has "PAT. / APP'D.
Description
Single-burner gas stove and heater consisting of a cylindrical, perforated outer shell or casing containing a conical incandescent member; brass supply valve with threaded connector at back. Rubber hose wrapped around base. Cast, removable grill top has "PAT. / APP'D. / FOR" and "VULCAN (arched) / 345" in raised sans serif letters inside ovals on opposite sides of the open-scroll border. Cast shell-and-scroll base with four feet has "W. H. CRANE (arched) / CO. / N. Y." in raised sans serif letters on one side.
John M. Brock of New York, NY, assignor to William H. Crane Company, also of New York, NY, filed his application for the design of this gas stove on September 16, 1907, and received U.S. Patent No. 978,127 for it on December 6, 1910. W. H. Crane manufactured gas appliances under the "Vulcan" brand name.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1907-1910
ID Number
DL.60.0212A
catalog number
60.0212A
accession number
226327
Slim, wedge-shaped, rectangular case comprised of a hinged front cover with engine-turned ribbed bands and blank circular reserve at one corner and a plain, hinged back cover, both attached to a round-bottom holder with two small tabs to keep the matchbook in place.
Description
Slim, wedge-shaped, rectangular case comprised of a hinged front cover with engine-turned ribbed bands and blank circular reserve at one corner and a plain, hinged back cover, both attached to a round-bottom holder with two small tabs to keep the matchbook in place. Inside back cover is struck incuse at bottom center "STERLING", above trademark "EZ" and "OPE" in a sideways "S" and "PAT.MAY,23-16", all in sans serif letters. Pattern registration mark "52" scratched inside bottom left of front cover and top right inside of holder.
John H. Scharling of Newark, NJ, received U.S. Patent No. 1,181,438 on May 23, 1916 for his "improvements in that class of pocket-cases which are adapted for the purpose of carrying therein matches, cigarettes, and the like." Scharling's company, Scharling & Co., 1885-c. 1934, produced holloware, vanity items, novelties and jewelry in silver, silverplate, nickel silver and pewter.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
patent date
1916-05-23
1916-05-23
ID Number
DL.60.2119
catalog number
60.2119
accession number
200122
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
est. 1899
ID Number
CE.240
catalog number
240
accession number
57114
Cylindrical candlestick with removable, circular, folded-edge nozzle and slightly flared candle cup or socket atop a plain stem with bead at top and just above the circular, flared, step-molded base.
Description
Cylindrical candlestick with removable, circular, folded-edge nozzle and slightly flared candle cup or socket atop a plain stem with bead at top and just above the circular, flared, step-molded base. Loose piece of green baize was adhered to iron plate covering underside of base; plate has two holes. Inside bottom of cup struck with what appears to be two, verticaly-aligned, backwards "2"s that are overstruck with an eight-petal rosette at center; numerous scratches possibly include "III". One of two candlesticks, 1981.0526.01-.02.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
ID Number
1981.0526.02
accession number
1981.0526
catalog number
1981.0526.02
Rotary style egg beater or food mixer, molded metal (cast iron or steel) housed in a glass mason jar.
Description
Rotary style egg beater or food mixer, molded metal (cast iron or steel) housed in a glass mason jar. Mixing apparatus comprised of two two-winged bulb-shaped blades, bent sheet metal, connected with bent metal wire, attached at top to two cog wheels which enable the mixing action with the connected crankwheel when turned with attached unpainted wooden handle. Molded metal handle at top. Apparatus is attached to silver metal cap with screw threads to attach to top of mason jar.
Mason jar is clear glass, embossed on front: "Kerr/"SELF SEALING"/TRADEMARK REG/WIDE MOUTH/MASON"; bottom of jar is embossed: "KERR GLASS MFG CO/8/PAT/AUG 31/1915/SAND SPRINGS OKLA".
Crankwheel is debossed: "HOLT'S IMPROVED DOVER PATENTED/MADE BY/HOLT-LYON CO TARRYTOWN, N.Y. U.S.A."
Related patent: US 646736 A, April 3, 1900, Thomas Holt, Tarrytown, New York, for "Egg beater".
Maker is Holt-Lyon Company, Tarrytown, New York; Kerr Glass Company, Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1909-1915
ID Number
DL.322793.04
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
404
catalog number
322793.04
In 1905 inventor Albert Marsh developed a special type of wire by combining nickel and chromium. His new nichrome wire could be heated by an electric current and cooled repeatedly in the presence of oxygen without burning out, perfect for making heating elements.
Description (Brief)
In 1905 inventor Albert Marsh developed a special type of wire by combining nickel and chromium. His new nichrome wire could be heated by an electric current and cooled repeatedly in the presence of oxygen without burning out, perfect for making heating elements. This electric toaster made by General Electric around 1910 has four heating elements with the wire wrapped around forms made of heat-resistant mica. The floral design painted in the ceramic base was an optional feature as most model D-12 toasters came with a plain white base.
date made
1910
maker
General Electric Company
ID Number
EM.334247
catalog number
334247
accession number
311699
Urn-shaped, tilting kettle, oval in section, on a flared oval pedestal base with hinged, hollow handle and swing-up, trumpet-shaped, oval lid topped by a cast urn; one side of body is engraved with a shaded, foliate script "R".
Description
Urn-shaped, tilting kettle, oval in section, on a flared oval pedestal base with hinged, hollow handle and swing-up, trumpet-shaped, oval lid topped by a cast urn; one side of body is engraved with a shaded, foliate script "R". Pairs of button knobs on both sides fit into two fishtail- or hourglass-shaped supports mounted to a flared oval stand that holds a removable, dome-shouldered spirit burner with long-handled, circular, flat top. Cast, serpentine-lobed bands at kettle rim and stand edge have leafy volutes springing from shells; chased and engraved pairs of leafy scrolls enclosing five-petaled flowers encircle incurved neck, body, base and stand. Thin, reeded ivory insulators. Body perforated at shallow S-curve spout. Undersides of kettle and stand are both struck incuse "STERLING" at one end, "3998/74" at the other, and with a diamond-quatrefoil-diamond motif along one side; burner underside stamped "STERLING". From a seven-piece coffee and tea service, 1991.0352.01-.07.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
date presented
1914-02-22
ID Number
1991.0352.03
catalog number
1991.0352.03
accession number
1991.0352
catalog number
1991.0352.01-07

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