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.

Octagonal or panel-sided, urn-shaped cream pot with spurred S-scroll handle; missing pedestal base. Conforming rim and pouring spout. Maker's mark partially visible on underside of body.
Description
Octagonal or panel-sided, urn-shaped cream pot with spurred S-scroll handle; missing pedestal base. Conforming rim and pouring spout. Maker's mark partially visible on underside of body. From a sugar bowl and creamer set, DL*311709 and DL*311714.
Maker is Leonard, Reed & Barton of Taunton, MA. Founded by Gustavus Leonard, Henry F. Reed and Charles E. Barton as successor to Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835; became Reed & Barton in 1840. Marked panel-sided coffee- and teapots matching sugar bowl DL*311709 and creamer DL*311714 are known.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1840
ID Number
DL.311714
catalog number
311714
accession number
64443
Inverted pear-shaped creamer decorated with intertwined fuschia sprays around its shoulder and a single cast blossom on its hinged, trumpet-shaped, circular lid; engraved "M\L/K" on one side above the circular, low-domed, ruffle-edged foot. Shallow, curved pouring lip.
Description
Inverted pear-shaped creamer decorated with intertwined fuschia sprays around its shoulder and a single cast blossom on its hinged, trumpet-shaped, circular lid; engraved "M\L/K" on one side above the circular, low-domed, ruffle-edged foot. Shallow, curved pouring lip. High-loop, C-curve handle. Gilt-washed interior. Underside of flat bottom struck incuse with a stylized "M" trademark with "5.467" scratched below, "815" in roman letters, and "STERLING" in sans serif letters. From a six-piece coffee and tea service, 1980.0027.01-.06.
Maker is Marcus & Co., of New York, NY; 1892-1962 (merged with Black, Starr & Frost; founded 1810-present).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1900
ID Number
1980.0027.06
accession number
1980.0027
catalog number
1980.0027.06
1980.0027.01-06
Circular, round-bottom piercework cream pot on pedestal base with conforming, clear, cobalt blue glass liner. Cast and applied fasces molding around shallow curved rim with wide pouring lip and at circular foot.
Description
Circular, round-bottom piercework cream pot on pedestal base with conforming, clear, cobalt blue glass liner. Cast and applied fasces molding around shallow curved rim with wide pouring lip and at circular foot. Cast, D- or ear-shaped handle has split-scroll terminals and graduated beads at top; a small tab that secures the liner in place is mounted to rim in front of it. Bottom underside is struck incuse "QUADRUPLE PLATE" arched above a spider web with "W" in five-pointed star at its center, and "11" below. From cream and sugar set, 1977.0918.75-.76.
Maker is E. G. Webster & Son of Brooklyn, NY, 1886-1928.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1886 - 1928
ID Number
1977.0918.75
accession number
1977.0918
catalog number
1977.0918.75
"Ultra" pattern creamer; features an inverted ovoid body with two, low-relief, vertical ears of wheat applied to sides on a short, fluted pedestal with conical base. Inset, curved spout; flat rim and lip. Hollow, C-curve handle.
Description
"Ultra" pattern creamer; features an inverted ovoid body with two, low-relief, vertical ears of wheat applied to sides on a short, fluted pedestal with conical base. Inset, curved spout; flat rim and lip. Hollow, C-curve handle. Underside struck with maker's mark and pattern number. From a five-piece coffee and tea service, 1989.0700.07-.11.
Greek-American industrial designer John Vassos (1898-1985) designed the "Ultra" pattern in 1934 for R. Wallace & Sons Mfg. Co. of Wallingford, CT; 1871-present. "Ultra" flatware 1989.0700.01-.06, five-piece coffee and tea service 1989.0700.07-.11, and bowl 1989.0700.12, all belonged to the Vassos family.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1934 or later
year pattern introduced
1934 or later
ID Number
1989.0700.09
catalog number
1989.0700.09
accession number
1989.0700
Raised circular cream pitcher with double-bellied lower body engraved "SML" in flecked foliate script on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base. Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and die-rolled band of scrolling leaves on exterior.
Description
Raised circular cream pitcher with double-bellied lower body engraved "SML" in flecked foliate script on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base. Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and die-rolled band of scrolling leaves on exterior. Cast convex rims of pairs of cornucopias springing from shells at shoulder and top of pedestal; die-rolled band of matching decoration at base. Hollow S-curve handle sprouts from waterleaf volutes. Underside of rounded bottom struck above centerpunch "N.J.BOGERT" in raised roman letters in a rectangle. From a four-piece coffee and tea service, 1985.0962.1-.4.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1830
maker
Bogert, Nicholas J.
ID Number
1985.0962.3
accession number
1985.0962
catalog number
1985.0962.3
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped creamer on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/.
Description
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped creamer on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/. 1813.", and on the other "PRESENTED / by the Citizens of / BOSTON." Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and connects to the stepped-ogee top portion of the bulbous lower body by a die-rolled band of roses. Gadrooning at rim and edge of base. Right-angled, tapered strap handle with grapevine decoration. Underside of rounded bottom struck "C[h]ur[c]hill & / Treadwell" in raised roman letters in a rectangle above centerpoint; "7"7(?)lt" scratched below. Few dents in body. Part of tea and coffee service, 1985.0121.01-.07.
Maker is Jesse Churchill (1773-1819) and Daniel Treadwell (1791-1872) of Boston, MA; dates in partnership given as 1805-1813.and 1809-1819.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1814
ID Number
1985.0121.04
catalog number
1985.0121.04
accession number
1985.0121
Baluster- or pear-shaped cream pot with molded midband on a flared, molded base. Plain, curved rim has wide pouring lip, and cast double C-scroll spurred handle has split scroll terminal. Underside of body struck incuse "PAIRPOINT / PEWTER" and "P170" in sans serif letters.
Description
Baluster- or pear-shaped cream pot with molded midband on a flared, molded base. Plain, curved rim has wide pouring lip, and cast double C-scroll spurred handle has split scroll terminal. Underside of body struck incuse "PAIRPOINT / PEWTER" and "P170" in sans serif letters. From three-piece coffee service, 1989.0122.02-.04.
Maker is Pairpoint Corporation of New Bedford, MA; 1880-1958. Started as Pairpoint Manufacturing Company, producing plated mounts for Mt. Washington Glass Company; Pairpoint merged with Mt. Washington in 1894 and name changed to Pairpoint Corporation. Only glass made after 1929.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1929
maker
Pairpoint Corporation
ID Number
1989.0122.03
catalog number
1989.0122.03
accession number
1989.0122
Cylindrical cream pitcher with die-rolled decoration of exotic birds and insects, including a crane, snail and spiders, amidst bamboo and other flowers and foliage around its body and the face of its inset, curved spout with vertical U-shape pouring lip.
Description
Cylindrical cream pitcher with die-rolled decoration of exotic birds and insects, including a crane, snail and spiders, amidst bamboo and other flowers and foliage around its body and the face of its inset, curved spout with vertical U-shape pouring lip. Circular pedestal base with triple-reeded shaft and plain conical foot. Reeded and banded, shallow S curve handle has open lower terminal with triple-reeded strut. Underside of base is struck incuse "PAIRPOINT MF:G CO." next to a "P" in banded diamond and "QUADRUPLE / PLATE", with "2011" below. From a three-piece service, 1989.0184.01-.03.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1885
maker
Pairpoint Corporation
ID Number
1989.0184.01
catalog number
1989.0184.01
accession number
1989.0184
Rectangular U-shape creamer with convex band around its upper body on a conforming footring with four ball feet; gold washed interior. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has die-rolled gadrooning applied on exterior.
Description
Rectangular U-shape creamer with convex band around its upper body on a conforming footring with four ball feet; gold washed interior. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has die-rolled gadrooning applied on exterior. Right-angled C-curve tapered strap handle attaches at middle of neck and top of footring. Struck once on neck outside at center of one side "HOMES." in italic roman letters in a rectangle. No centerpunch. No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1810 - 1815
ID Number
DL.383524
catalog number
383524
accession number
162866
This sauceboat features a transfer print of the Boston State House building and is part of J&W Ridgway's "Beauties of America" series, a blue transfer decorated dinner service decorated with views of American buildings and a border of roses on the vine, superimposed on regularly
Description
This sauceboat features a transfer print of the Boston State House building and is part of J&W Ridgway's "Beauties of America" series, a blue transfer decorated dinner service decorated with views of American buildings and a border of roses on the vine, superimposed on regularly formed, lighter blue leaves
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1814-1830
maker
J & W Ridgway
ID Number
CE.62.909J
catalog number
62.909J
accession number
171126
Bell-shaped creamer on a reverse cyma-profile base with boss bottom featuring a flat-chased, symmetrical design of two umbrella-shaped flowers and serrated leaves springing from a larger tripartite leaf.
Description
Bell-shaped creamer on a reverse cyma-profile base with boss bottom featuring a flat-chased, symmetrical design of two umbrella-shaped flowers and serrated leaves springing from a larger tripartite leaf. Angular handle, rectangular in section, has a triple-stacked, upturned, tassel-like thumbrest. Tall, curved, inset spout with U-shaped lip. Bottom underside struck incuse "ROCKFORD / SILVER PLATE CO." in sans serif letters encircling balanced scales with "QUADRUPLE" above and "700" below; "REM" engraved above and "y(?)" scratched faintly in gutter at left. From a three-piece coffee or tea service, 1982.0114.01-.03; coffeepot is a different pattern than the sugar bowl and creamer.
Maker is Rockford Silver Plate Co. of Rockford, IL, 1882-1956. Successor to Racine Silver Plate Co. of Racine, WI, 1873-1882; became Sheets-Rockford in 1925.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1882
Associated Date
1882 - 1982
ID Number
1982.0114.03
accession number
1982.0114
catalog number
1982.0114.03
Gold washed, ovoid creamer on four, double-banded, splayed legs ending in pad feet. Four repousse chased panels filled with a myriad of flowers and foliage cover body.
Description
Gold washed, ovoid creamer on four, double-banded, splayed legs ending in pad feet. Four repousse chased panels filled with a myriad of flowers and foliage cover body. Hollow, angular handle with ball thumbrest has banded, tapered ends with a faceted upper socket and bracketed lower socket with rosette. Cupped band on flared rim continues over the inset, curved spout with beaded lip. Bottom underside struck incuse "MF'D & PLATED BY / REED & BARTON", "2795", "DESIGN / PAT.JULY.25.1876." and "GILT". From a six-piece coffee and tea service, 1978.0922.01-.06.
Maker is Reed & Barton, Taunton, MA; 1840-present. William C. Beattie of Taunton, MA, assignor to Reed & Barton, received US Design No. 9,405 for this pattern on July 25, 1876.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876 or later
design patent date
1876-07-25
ID Number
1978.0922.05
catalog number
1978.0922.05
accession number
1978.0922
Raised circular cream pitcher with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, fain script.
Description
Raised circular cream pitcher with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, fain script. Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and die-rolled band of symmetrical floral decoration on exterior. Matching, cast convex rims at shoulder and top of pedestal. Hollow, reeded S-curve handle sprouts from anthemion volutes, the upper terminal with a five-petaled flower at sides. Centerpunch on underside of rounded bottom. Underside of base is struck "W. Thomson" in raised script in a stepped rectangle and scratched "13 9". From cream and sugar set, DL*62.0248-.0249.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1826
ID Number
DL.62.0249
catalog number
62.0249
accession number
1979.0955
Inverted pear-shaped, serpentine-paneled creamer engraved "AMC" in conjoined foliate script on a stepped pedestal base with circular foot. Deeply curved, everted, reverse cyma-edged rim with wide pouring lip above incurved neck.
Description
Inverted pear-shaped, serpentine-paneled creamer engraved "AMC" in conjoined foliate script on a stepped pedestal base with circular foot. Deeply curved, everted, reverse cyma-edged rim with wide pouring lip above incurved neck. Applied beading at base of neck, top of pedestal, and foot. Spurred, faceted, S-curve handle has raised rings next to scrolled terminals. Underside of rounded bottom struck with maker's mark between two pseudo-hallmarks. Centerpunch visible. Part of a three-piece service, 1988.0252.1-.3.
Maker is Gale, Wood & Hughes (William Gale Sr., Jacob Wood, and Jasper Hughes) of New York, NY; in partnership, 1833-1845.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1845
maker
Gale, Wood & Hughes
ID Number
1988.0252.2
accession number
1988.0252
catalog number
1988.0252.2
Raised, oblong, apple-shaped cream pitcher with short concave neck, single-reeded curved rim with wide pouring lip, and knuckle-ended, C-curve handle on an applied oval foot ring.
Description
Raised, oblong, apple-shaped cream pitcher with short concave neck, single-reeded curved rim with wide pouring lip, and knuckle-ended, C-curve handle on an applied oval foot ring. Underside of flat bottom is struck "Gebelein" in raised roman letters in a textured, curvilinear surround, "STERLING" in incuse sans serif letters, and "Boston" in incuse italic roman letters. Part of a three-piece service, 1992.0601.001-.003.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1905
ID Number
1992.0601.003
catalog number
1992.0601.003
accession number
1992.0601
Small, silver-gilt or vermeil ovoid pitcher with cylindrical neck and shallow curved rim having a wide pouring lip on a short, flared, circular pedestal base.
Description
Small, silver-gilt or vermeil ovoid pitcher with cylindrical neck and shallow curved rim having a wide pouring lip on a short, flared, circular pedestal base. Applied decoration includes three cast circular floral wreaths on body, die-rolled bands of scroll-outlined waterleaves at neck and of pointed leaves and single buds at shoulder and base, and beading around pedestal. High, tapered C-curve handle is pinned into a beaded upper socket with pendant anthemion and conical lower socket. Brass tag stamped "3328" is wired to handle. One hallmark struck under rim to left of spout; two marks on base. Part of a five-piece service, DL*59.2346A-E.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1819 - 1838
maker
Cahier, Jean-Charles
ID Number
DL.59.2346D
catalog number
59.2346D
accession number
226997
collector/donor number
72
Angular-body, circular cream pitcher on four short splayed feet with a high, scrolled wire handle adorned with a cast sprig of lily-of-the-valley.
Description
Angular-body, circular cream pitcher on four short splayed feet with a high, scrolled wire handle adorned with a cast sprig of lily-of-the-valley. Body consists of inverted conical upper and lower halves joined by a milled midband; upper half is encircled by bright-cut festoons and engraved "J.H. / = TO = / E." on one side. Cylindrical neck is separate from cupped rim with everted edge and almost flat pouring lip. Rim inside and upper half have satin or matte finish; gold washed interior. Underside of flat bottom stamped incuse "W & H" above "STERLING" (curved), both in serif letters. From cream and sugar set, DL.60.0998A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
owner; user
Bellamy, Ellen Washington
ID Number
DL.60.0998A
catalog number
60.0998A
accession number
71656
Raised, chased and repousse baluster-shaped creamer on flared pedestal base with ribbed neck and two reserves on body formed by ogival arches, ruffled C-scrolls and flowers, one engraved "C.E.O." in shaded gothic or Old English letters.
Description
Raised, chased and repousse baluster-shaped creamer on flared pedestal base with ribbed neck and two reserves on body formed by ogival arches, ruffled C-scrolls and flowers, one engraved "C.E.O." in shaded gothic or Old English letters. Inset, cast ruffled shell spout with strawberry pendant. Cast and applied scalloped rim, shaped on inside; beading at foot. High-loop S-curve handle has scrolled acanthus on face. Underside of convex bottom struck around centerpunch, "TIFFANY & C\o." and "550 BROADWAY.N-Y" encircling "G & W", "4838" (covers centerpunch), and "5", all in incuse serif letters. From a six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*316497.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
retailer
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
DL.316497.0004
catalog number
316497.0004
accession number
316497
Plain, squat, baluster-shaped cream pot with curved rim and wide pouring lip on cove-molded base. Cast double C-scroll handle with split scroll terminal. No marks.Currently not on view
Description
Plain, squat, baluster-shaped cream pot with curved rim and wide pouring lip on cove-molded base. Cast double C-scroll handle with split scroll terminal. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-1860
ID Number
DL.311679
catalog number
311679
accession number
64443
Raised double-bellied pitcher on a tall, flared and molded, circular pedestal base; engraved on front of body to right of center "P / L*M" in shaded roman letters.
Description
Raised double-bellied pitcher on a tall, flared and molded, circular pedestal base; engraved on front of body to right of center "P / L*M" in shaded roman letters. Large stamped beads around steeply curved rim with high pouring lip; traces of applied beading at bottom edge of foot. Cast C- and S-curve handle has sprig at top and split-scroll lower terminal. No centerpunch. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1785
ID Number
DL.313983.0002
catalog number
313983.0002
accession number
313983
Urn-shaped cream pitcher, oval in section, on a flared oval pedestal base with wide pouring lip and tight C-curve handle; one side of body is engraved with a shaded, foliate script "R".
Description
Urn-shaped cream pitcher, oval in section, on a flared oval pedestal base with wide pouring lip and tight C-curve handle; one side of body is engraved with a shaded, foliate script "R". Cast, serpentine-lobed rim and reeded foot have leafy volutes springing from shells; chased and engraved pairs of leafy scrolls enclosing five-petaled flowers encircle incurved neck, body and base. Underside of base struck incuse "STERLING" at one end and "3998/74" at the other; no maker's mark. 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
1991.0352.04
catalog number
1991.0352.04
accession number
1991.0352
catalog number
1991.0352.01-07
Mallet-shaped cream pot on short flared base with cable banding around curved rim and wide pouring lip and a flat band at seam above base. Spurred, S-scroll, D- or ear-shaped handle with short terminal. Flat bottom raised with raised circle at center. No marks.
Description
Mallet-shaped cream pot on short flared base with cable banding around curved rim and wide pouring lip and a flat band at seam above base. Spurred, S-scroll, D- or ear-shaped handle with short terminal. Flat bottom raised with raised circle at center. No marks. From a four-piece coffee and tea service; tea and coffee pots 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
patent date
1862-06-03
ID Number
DL.61.0064B
catalog number
61.0064B
accession number
207405
Seamed oval cream pitcher engraved "SC" in conjoined foliate script on its slightly bulging sides. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has quadruple-reeded molding applied on exterior.
Description
Seamed oval cream pitcher engraved "SC" in conjoined foliate script on its slightly bulging sides. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has quadruple-reeded molding applied on exterior. High, thin, bracket-top handle extends from rim to base; its upper portion has five reeds, tiered towards center. Applied flat bottom is struck incuse "MOULTON" and incised "#quoqr(?)" and "$15.(?)". Creamer and sugar bowl DL*383550-383551 are from the same service.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800 - 1815
ID Number
DL.383550
catalog number
383550
accession number
162866
Squat baluster-shape cream pitcher with cast floral rim, an inset, curved spout with acanthus base and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handle has scrolled acanthus sprig and conical struts.
Description
Squat baluster-shape cream pitcher with cast floral rim, an inset, curved spout with acanthus base and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handle has scrolled acanthus sprig and conical struts. Bottom underside struck incuse with a horizontal-banded circular mark for "BRISTOL (arched) / PLATE CO. (across center in band) / U.S.A. / QUADRUPLE PLATE (curved)" in sans serif letters above "357". From a four-piece tea service, DL*66.0275-.0278.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
DL.66.0278
catalog number
66.0278
accession number
263347

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