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.

Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a wide white band overpainted with alternating pairs of right-facing, red and green leaves; one green and two yellow thin lines are below. Two yellow brushstrokes on each box side and swirling yellow brushstrokes around handle; no penciling. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
A large number of small decorated boxes similar to this example were produced in the nineteenth century; many survive in good condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1875
ID Number
DL.245425.0083
catalog number
245425.0083
accession number
245425
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a right-leaning sprig of three, red, scalloped flowers, all overpainted with blended or fingered-off, blue-to-white crab centers topped with alizarin; white-veined, green, smooth- and serrated-edge leaves and green, yellow, and translucent white leaflets. Lid top and box sides each have a four-arm, red-and-yellow pinwheel. Thin yellow and thick red bands border lid top; another thin yellow line is on lid front and sides. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. No marks on box, but slip of paper stored inside is inscribed with possible provenance: "Rebecca M. Lounsberry, 1860 / Deborah A. Ham 1858 / William Ham 1870 / Katie J. Bornt 1885".
Attributed to the New York Filley Tinshop, started by Augustus Filley (1789-1945), in Lansingburgh, NY, circa 1814-1870.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1814 - 1870
ID Number
1978.0119.11
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.11
Black-japanned and gilt-stenciled, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Black-japanned and gilt-stenciled, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Symmetrical floral decoration on box front features two, large, upturned cone- or bell-shape flowers amidst daisy-like flowers or leaves; box sides plain. Outlines of a border barely visible on lid top. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Five-piece box has a flat bottom and a top edge folded with a wire bead below. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
ID Number
DL.251349.0029
catalog number
251349.0029
accession number
251349
Dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire ring handle pinned to top, and two hinges at back; japanned decoration removed but shows vestiges of a horizontal band above heart shapes on front and red flakes of paint elsewhere.
Description
Dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire ring handle pinned to top, and two hinges at back; japanned decoration removed but shows vestiges of a horizontal band above heart shapes on front and red flakes of paint elsewhere. Five-piece lid has an overhanging, folded-edge top and wire-rolled rim. Five-piece box has a flat bottom and a top edge folded with a wire bead below. Japanned or varnished interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820 - 1850
ID Number
DL.251349.0032
catalog number
251349.0032
accession number
251349
Gilt-stenciled, japanned dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Faint symmetrical floral design is on the box front and even fainter traces of a stenciled border are on lid top.
Description
Gilt-stenciled, japanned dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Faint symmetrical floral design is on the box front and even fainter traces of a stenciled border are on lid top. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Three-piece box has a folded top edge with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850-1875
ID Number
DL.245425.0081
catalog number
245425.0081
accession number
245425
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with a scrolled hasp lock on front, a circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with a scrolled hasp lock on front, a circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with pairs of right-facing, alternating, red and yellow leaflets, and on the sides with two, yellow-bordered, red swags with yellow brushwork at center. Lid has yellow X-shape brushwork around handle and sprays in top corners; yellow penciling on lid top and all sides except back. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Three-piece box has a flat bottom and a top edge folded with wire bead below. Tinned interior. No marks.
The painted decoration on this box combines a lid design seen on trunks attributed to the Upson Tinshop of Marion (Southington), CT, circa 1773-1837, with a brushwork band used on the front of a trunk attributed to the Connecticut Filley Tinshop of Bloomfield, CT, circa 1800-1837.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1840
ID Number
DL.245425.0085
catalog number
245425.0085
accession number
245425
Small, japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Golden-brown ground is painted on the box front with a wide white band overpainted with right-leaning, red and green brushstrokes.
Description
Small, japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Golden-brown ground is painted on the box front with a wide white band overpainted with right-leaning, red and green brushstrokes. Swirling yellow brushstrokes around handle. Yellow pencilwork on all sides of lid and box except their backs. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim on front; the other three sides are folded. Two-piece box has a top edge folded with a wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
A large number of small decorated boxes similar to this example were produced in the nineteenth century; many survive in good condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825 - 1875
ID Number
1978.0119.15
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.15
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with two yellow-bordered white swags, each having a right-facing, scalloped red flower with yellow crescent overstroke, three pairs of red berries or buds, and two types of leaves. Box sides have a straight band with a circular, red flower or fruit flanked by pairs of leaves and berries or buds. Black veining and pencilwork details. Lid has yellow X-shape brushwork around handle, sprays in top corners and on sides; yellow penciling on lid top and all sides except back. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Trunks with two white swags on front and straight bands on sides (often decorated with the same motifs, as seen on this trunk) are an identifying feature of the Upson Tinshop of Marion (Southington), CT, circa 1773-1837.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800 - 1835
ID Number
1978.0119.29
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.29
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a wide white band containing two, right-facing, three-petaled, red tulips springing from six green leaflets above a thin red line, a row of yellow dots and brushstrokes, and a single yellow line along base; black pencilwork details and squiggles. Box sides have two yellow brushstroke swags above two yellow lines. Lid sides with yellow brushstrokes; top plain. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with a wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800 - 1850
ID Number
1978.0119.14
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.14
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, small circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, small circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a symmetrical, geometric design of five large salmon-red circles having white and alizarin overstrokes from which extend yellow, white, vermilion red, and green brushwork with yellow hash marks. Box sides have a yellow circular motif. Lid top features a yellow X shape made from ribbon strokes; lid front and sides have a ribbon-and-dot band. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a flat bottom and a top edge folded with wire bead below. No marks.
Attributed to the Oliver Buckley Tinshop of Stevens Plains (now Westbrook), ME, circa 1807-1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1807 - 1855
ID Number
1978.0119.19
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.19
Blue-japanned and gilt-stenciled, flat-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front and one hinge at back; no handle. Lid top has "A GIFT" across center and two different baskets of fruits and flowers above and below.
Description
Blue-japanned and gilt-stenciled, flat-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front and one hinge at back; no handle. Lid top has "A GIFT" across center and two different baskets of fruits and flowers above and below. Gilt pencilwork around lid top and all sides except back. One-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Two-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Gold japanned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850-1880
ID Number
DL.245425.0084
catalog number
245425.0084
accession number
245425
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front and sides are painted with a white band of salmon-red circular flowers or fruits alternating with two varieties of green leaves, one large, right-leaning, triangular and lobed and the other a small oval; black veins and details. Yellow double-apostrophe brushstrokes are below and two lines of yellow penciling border the base. Lid top has yellow, double-crab brushstrokes around handle bordered by single apostrophes and crossed double lines; lid front and sides with additional yellow drops. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with a wire bead below and a flat bottom. Possible signature mark of a black-outlined pointed oval at bottom right of front band.
Attributed to the Upson Tinshop of Marion (Southington), CT, circa 1773-1837.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800-1840
ID Number
DL.322631.0006
catalog number
322631.0006
accession number
322631
Black-japanned, flat-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, rectangular wire handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Black-japanned, flat-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, rectangular wire handle on top, and two hinges at back. Semi-impasto painted decoration features four, ruffled-edge, red swags and teardrop-shaped tassels along the box front and two, different, right-facing, red flowers with yellow crosshatched centers perched on curved yellow stems on the box sides. Lid top has a rectangular outline of two undulating red lines with yellow leaflets and green swags, all bordered by a yellow ribbon; lid front and sides have a yellow rope border. Two-piece lid has an overhanging, clipped-corner, folded-edge top and wire-rolled rim. Five-piece box has a wire-rolled top edge with raised bead below and a flat bottom with projecting folded edge. Japanned interior. Lid interior inscribed in script "Hannah / Marston / of [Nor]th (illegible)"; very faint.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1815 - 1845
ID Number
1978.0119.27
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.27
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a right-scrolling, red-stemmed sprig having two red flowers dotted with alizarin and white amidst yellow-veined or -edged green leaves.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a right-scrolling, red-stemmed sprig having two red flowers dotted with alizarin and white amidst yellow-veined or -edged green leaves. Swirling yellow brushwork around handle. Yellow pencilling on top and all sides except back. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820 - 1860
ID Number
1978.0119.26
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.26
Japanned and gilt-decorated trunk or box with stamped lid featuring a raised, ogee-sided rectangle; a scrolled hasp lock is on front, a gilt-brass, post-and-bail handle at top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned and gilt-decorated trunk or box with stamped lid featuring a raised, ogee-sided rectangle; a scrolled hasp lock is on front, a gilt-brass, post-and-bail handle at top, and two hinges at back. Box front has stenciled floral design; fine gilt penciling is on all four sides of lid and box. Lid has a wire-rolled rim, while the box has sharp plain edges with a large raised bead below and a flat bottom. Both lid and box are made of five pieces soft-soldered at their seams on the inside. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th or early 20th century
ID Number
DL.251349.0037
catalog number
251349.0037
accession number
251349
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front and sides are painted with clusters of one large and several small, eye-like flowers with circular red centers split by yellow-dotted, pointed ovals at their middles; alizarin overstrokes and green leaflets on yellow arc stems. Lid top has fine yellow brushwork around handle and in corners; border of fine, yellow lattice strokes and red penciling. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a flat bottom with projecting folded edge and a top edge folded with wire bead below. Tinned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800-1850
ID Number
DL.251349.0027
catalog number
251349.0027
accession number
251349
Yellow-painted, flat-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Yellow-painted, flat-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. A variety of red flowers with translucent white overstrokes, red strawberries and cherries with alizarin accents, and green leaves, some with black veins and all on green stems, fill the box front; box sides are plain. A faint green leafy design and penciling are visible on the lid top; a red and green, line-rope-and-leaf band is on the lid front and sides, some elements possibly stenciled. One-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. No marks.
Flat-top, painted tinware trunks are considered to be unique to the Stevens Tinshop of Stevens Plains (now Westbrook), ME, circa 1800-1842.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800 - 1842
ID Number
1978.0119.10
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.10
Small, japanned, coffer- or platform-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire handle on lid, and two hinges at back.
Description
Small, japanned, coffer- or platform-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire handle on lid, and two hinges at back. Lid has a white band on its front and sides overpainted with red circles separated by a zig-zag of green brushstrokes; yellow, symmetrical, wheat-like motifs extend from handle. Box front has a crossed pair of red-to-yellow daisies with yellow-dotted centers on green leafy stems. Box sides and back of lid and box are plain. One-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with a wire bead below and sides that fold under the flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Attributed to the Stevens Tinshop of Stevens Plains (now Westbrook), ME, circa 1800-1842.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800 - 1840
ID Number
1978.0119.23
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.23
Large, grain-painted, dome-top trunk or lidded box with a scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire handles at top center of both trunk ends and two hinges at back.
Description
Large, grain-painted, dome-top trunk or lidded box with a scrolled hasp lock on front, oval wire handles at top center of both trunk ends and two hinges at back. Exterior is painted in imitation of wood; the trunk front is stenciled " "WYOMING" (angled at top left) / (???) / WALLINGFORD. / U.S.A. $1". Wire-rimmed lid and trunk are each made in five pieces; the trunk has four vertical folded seams, one in each corner, a flat bottom with folded edge and a folded top edge with wire bead below. Interior painted dark blue. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ID Number
DL.251349.0175
catalog number
251349.0175
accession number
251349
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back; asphaltum ground almost entirely gone from lid and upper part of box.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back; asphaltum ground almost entirely gone from lid and upper part of box. Box front is painted with a right-leaning sprig of two, red, lobed-fanlike flowers with blue centers on a green stem with white-veined, serrated-edge green leaves; similarly-colored buds perch on green and yellow leaflets. Lid top and box sides each have a four-arm, red-and-green pinwheel; thin red and thick blue-green bands border lid top. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with a wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Attributed to the New York Filley Tinshop, started by Augustus Filley (1789-1945), of Lansingburgh, NY, circa 1814-1870.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1814 - 1870
ID Number
1978.0119.13
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.13
Black-painted, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front and sides have a red band containing yellow-dotted alizarin ovals with yellow streamers above green swags and yellow tassels.
Description
Black-painted, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front and sides have a red band containing yellow-dotted alizarin ovals with yellow streamers above green swags and yellow tassels. Lid top has yellow graduated brushstrokes on four sides of the handle; a yellow ribbon and thick band border its edges. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Scratched on bottom underside in cursive script "C,C, Spencer / No. 5".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1790 - 1840
ID Number
1978.0119.22
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.22
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, brass post-and-bail handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, brass post-and-bail handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front and sides have a wide yellow band overpainted with red trefoil flowers and green leaves accented with black pencilwork, all above sets of three gilt or yellow curved drops, red penciling, and thinly painted gilt or yellow scallops and penciling along the bottom. Five-piece lid has an overhanging, folded-edge top and wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a projecting, flat bottom and a wire-rolled top edge with raised bead below. Japanned interior. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820-1850
ID Number
DL.251349.0026
catalog number
251349.0026
accession number
251349
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Floral spray painted on box front features three different red crab flowers with white and alizarin overstrokes, all perched on red stems with yellow-veined, smooth-edge green leaves and yellow leaflets. Box sides have two yellow brushstroke swags. Yellow brushwork on lid top at handle, and a yellow ribbon on its front and sides. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Five-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. No marks.
Attributed to the Butler Tinshop of East Greenville, NY, circa 1820-1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820 - 1855
ID Number
1978.0119.18
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.18
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a right-leaning sprig of three, fan-shaped, red flowers and pairs of buds, all overpainted with shaded or fingered-off blue-to-white; white-veined, serrated-edge, green leaf at center surrounded by green, yellow, and translucent white leaflets. Box sides have a four-arm, red-and-green, X-shaped pinwheel. Lid top has a yellow leafy wreath around handle and is bordered by thin yellow and thick green bands; a red line is on the lid front and sides. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a folded top edge with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
Attributed to the New York Filley Tinshop, started by Augustus Filley (1789-1945), of Lansingburgh, NY, circa 1814-1870.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1814 - 1870
ID Number
1979.1143.04
accession number
1979.1143
catalog number
1979.1143.04

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