Domestic Furnishings

Tiffany Floor Lamp

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.

Place: Japan

Cigarette Case Holder

Open-top rectangular case with spring-hinged, ribbed sides and a single "X" accordion at bottom. Engine-turned bands decorate front and back; an empty rectangular reserve is on front.
Description
Open-top rectangular case with spring-hinged, ribbed sides and a single "X" accordion at bottom. Engine-turned bands decorate front and back; an empty rectangular reserve is on front. Bottom edge of front is struck incuse with "dunhill" trademark and "JAPAN" in sans serif letters.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
DL.60.1957
catalog number
60.1957
accession number
200122

Figurine Group

Polychrome- and gold-painted bisque figural group of a red-haired, fair-skinned woman in 18th-century-style dress alighting from a white carriage drawn by two white horses; all on an oblong, relief-banded base.
Description
Polychrome- and gold-painted bisque figural group of a red-haired, fair-skinned woman in 18th-century-style dress alighting from a white carriage drawn by two white horses; all on an oblong, relief-banded base. A man in light green frock coat standing outside the carriage takes the woman's right hand in his, while the driver, in cream-colored tricorn hat, gilt-ruffled blue shirt and coat and patterned lavender pants, sits at attention. Small hole in driver's hand indicates he originally held a whip. Bottom underside is stamped "MADE IN / JAPAN" in red and marked "6141" in black crayon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1950s
date used
1950s - 1970s
ID Number
1996.0201.07
catalog number
1996.0201.07
accession number
1996.0201

Wedding Cake Figure

Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oval pedestal base. The groom has brown hair and the bride has yellow-blonde hair covered by a green headband and remnants of netting for the veil; both figures have ivory-skinned faces, brown brows, black eyes and red lips.
Description
Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oval pedestal base. The groom has brown hair and the bride has yellow-blonde hair covered by a green headband and remnants of netting for the veil; both figures have ivory-skinned faces, brown brows, black eyes and red lips. She wears a white, long-sleeved, fit-and-flare gown, the skirt gathered and draped at front, and white gloves; a red and green bouquet rests inside her left arm. He sports a black tuxedo with buttoned cutaway coat and white gloves; indistinct white neckwear. Hollow cast with hole on underside. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
1992.0301.02
catalog number
1992.0301.02
accession number
1992.0301

Wedding Cake Figure

Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oblong pedestal base, the groom holding a top hat. Both figures have pale brown hair and brows, fine-lined black eyes and red lips.
Description
Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oblong pedestal base, the groom holding a top hat. Both figures have pale brown hair and brows, fine-lined black eyes and red lips. She wears a green wreath on her head and a white, fit-and-flare gown with long sleeves fluttered at shoulders, pooled train and gloves; small hole in right hand for bouquet. He sports a black tuxedo with buttoned cutaway coat and white necktie and gloves. Hollow cast with hole on underside; back of base incised "JAPAN".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920 - 1930
ID Number
1992.0090.07
catalog number
1992.0090.07
accession number
1992.0090

Clam ornament

A celluloid clamshell ornament. The clamshell is open and the inside contains molded celluloid figurines depicting a natural scene. Figures include bears, fish, a boar. trees, and other plants. An unidentified trademark appears on the bottom.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
A celluloid clamshell ornament. The clamshell is open and the inside contains molded celluloid figurines depicting a natural scene. Figures include bears, fish, a boar. trees, and other plants. An unidentified trademark appears on the bottom.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1930-1950
ID Number
2006.0098.1515
catalog number
2006.0098.1515
accession number
2006.0098

Saucer

Chased and repousse circular dish or saucer with upturned edge decorated as a peacock or plumed bird; head (possibly extended into a handle) broken off. Iridescent finish. Struck incuse at center of underside "SAMURAI SHOKAI. / YOKOHAMA.
Description
Chased and repousse circular dish or saucer with upturned edge decorated as a peacock or plumed bird; head (possibly extended into a handle) broken off. Iridescent finish. Struck incuse at center of underside "SAMURAI SHOKAI. / YOKOHAMA. / STERLING." in sans serif letters.
Retailed by Samurai Sokai (roughly translated, "store of the samurai"), Kurio King, Yokohama, Japan; founded in 1894 by Yozo Nomura (1870-1965).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1891
ID Number
DL.68.0466
catalog number
68.0466
accession number
274913

Wedding Cake Figure

Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oblong platform base. Both figures have light brown hair and brows, ivory pink-skinned faces and hands, fine-lined black eyes and red lips.
Description
Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on an oblong platform base. Both figures have light brown hair and brows, ivory pink-skinned faces and hands, fine-lined black eyes and red lips. She wears a white, round-necked gown and holds a bouquet dotted with pink, blue and green inside her left arm; no headpiece or veil. He sports a black tuxedo with cutaway coat, black vest and white bowtie. Her neckline and his bowtie are picked out in gold. Hollow cast; underside is stamped next to hole "JAPAN" in black and retains traces of a circular label.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1940 - 1960
ca 1960
ID Number
1992.0090.05
catalog number
1992.0090.05
accession number
1992.0090

Wedding Cake Figure

Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm; no base. Both figures have red-brown hair and brows, pink cheeks, fine-lined black eyes and red lips.
Description
Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm; no base. Both figures have red-brown hair and brows, pink cheeks, fine-lined black eyes and red lips. She wears a white gown with flutter-sleeved peplum top accented by a bow cascading down front, pooled train, and long gloves; no headpiece, veil or bouquet. He sports a black tuxedo with buttoned cutaway coat and white necktie, gloves and boutonniere. Hollow cast; underside is stamped next to hole "JAPAN" in black.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920 - 1930
ca 1930
ID Number
1992.0090.06
catalog number
1992.0090.06
accession number
1992.0090

Allied Nations Tablecloth

This tablecloth is embellished with padded satin stitch embroidery and Point de Venise style needle lace. The center insets feature the coats-of-arms of the Allies: Romania, Belgium, Montenegro, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, Serbia, Italy, France, and Portugal.
Description
This tablecloth is embellished with padded satin stitch embroidery and Point de Venise style needle lace. The center insets feature the coats-of-arms of the Allies: Romania, Belgium, Montenegro, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, Serbia, Italy, France, and Portugal. The triangular insets with oak leaves and acorn motifs symbolize strength and endurance.
Embroidered around the border is “1914 A MRS BRAND WHITLOCK 1915 1916 HOMMAGE RECONNAISSANT DES DENTELLIERES BELGES 1917” (1914 to Mrs. Brand Whitlock 1915 1916 grateful tribute from the Belgian lace makers 1917). The lace and embroidery was made by Belgian women during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
made during
1917-1918
part of design
1915
1916
1917
made during
1918
part of design
1914
described
Whitlock, Ella Brainerd
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.E383960
catalog number
E383960
accession number
172208

Ozashiki or Parlor

untitled) by anonymous, hand-tinted albumen print. Part of an album containing objects 2013.0327.0003 to 2013.0327.0013.Currently not on view
Description
untitled) by anonymous, hand-tinted albumen print. Part of an album containing objects 2013.0327.0003 to 2013.0327.0013.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880s
maker
Anonymous
ID Number
2013.0327.0007
catalog number
2013.0327.0007
accession number
2013.0327

Wedding Cake Figure

Fair-skinned bride with pale blonde hair, blue eyes, and heart-shaped red lips wearing a cap-sleeved white gown picked out in gold and embellished with gold-glittered and lace-edged white tulle over the bell-shaped skirt; a white lace headpiece with waist-length, white tulle veil
Description
Fair-skinned bride with pale blonde hair, blue eyes, and heart-shaped red lips wearing a cap-sleeved white gown picked out in gold and embellished with gold-glittered and lace-edged white tulle over the bell-shaped skirt; a white lace headpiece with waist-length, white tulle veil is attached at top of her head and back of arms and waist. She stands with her left hand drawn up towards her face and holds two branches of white flowers inserted through a hole in her right hand. Hollow cast; red-printed, gold foil maker's label is adhered next to hole on underside. From a pair, 2007.0113.01A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950 - 1960
DELETE
manufacturer
Ucagco Inc.
ID Number
2007.0113.01A
catalog number
2007.0113.01A
accession number
2007.0113

Wedding Cake Topper

Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on a stepped, heart-shaped base. Both figures have brown hair and brows, ivory-pink skin, blue eyes, and dark red lips.
Description
Bride and groom standing arm-in-arm on a stepped, heart-shaped base. Both figures have brown hair and brows, ivory-pink skin, blue eyes, and dark red lips. She wears a cap-sleeved white gown with bell-shaped skirt adorned by a bow at back along with long white gloves; dress neckline and her single-bloom bouquet are picked out in gold, while her head is embellished with a floor-length, white tulle veil stitched to six pearls for the headpiece. He sports a black tuxedo with buttoned coat and black bowtie; no gloves. Hollow cast; stamped "JAPAN" in red between two holes on underside.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950 - 1960
maker
unknown
ID Number
2007.0113.02
catalog number
2007.0113.02
accession number
2007.0113

Wedding Cake Figure

Fair-skinned groom with light brown hair, blue eyes and red lips wearing a buttoned white tuxedo jacket with white vest picked out in gold, a narrow black bowtie, and black pants and shoes.
Description
Fair-skinned groom with light brown hair, blue eyes and red lips wearing a buttoned white tuxedo jacket with white vest picked out in gold, a narrow black bowtie, and black pants and shoes. He stands on a rounded circular base with his left arm bent and holds a pair of white gloves in his right hand. Hollow cast; red-printed, gold foil maker's label is adhered next to hole on underside. From a pair, 2007.0113.01A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1950 - 1960
DELETE
manufacturer
Ucagco Inc.
ID Number
2007.0113.01B
catalog number
2007.0113.01B
accession number
2007.0113

Wedding Cake Figure

Fair-skinned bride with attenuated body, pale blonde hair and brows, black eyes, and a red dot for her lips standing and holding a red, yellow and green bouquet in light blue wrapping against her left arm.
Description
Fair-skinned bride with attenuated body, pale blonde hair and brows, black eyes, and a red dot for her lips standing and holding a red, yellow and green bouquet in light blue wrapping against her left arm. She wears a long-sleeved white gown picked out in gold at the neck, across bodice and in the front folds of skirt along with white gloves and a red-brown, shoulder-length headpiece or mantle. Hollow cast; underside is stamped next to hole "JAPAN" in black. From a pair, 2007.0113.03A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930 - 1940
maker
unknown
ID Number
2007.0113.03A
catalog number
2007.0113.03A
accession number
2007.0113

Wedding Cake Figure

Fair-skinned groom with attenuated body, pale red hair and brows, black eyes, and a red dot for his lips standing with a black top hat held in his right hand and a yellow cane resting over his left arm.
Description
Fair-skinned groom with attenuated body, pale red hair and brows, black eyes, and a red dot for his lips standing with a black top hat held in his right hand and a yellow cane resting over his left arm. He wears a morning suit with buttoned, black cutaway coat, bowknot picked out in gold above a red-brown cravat or tie, and white pants striped with pairs of gold lines. Hollow cast; underside is stamped next to hole "JAPAN" in black. From a pair, 2007.0113.03A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1930 - 1940
maker
unknown
ID Number
2007.0113.03B
catalog number
2007.0113.03B
accession number
2007.0113

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