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.

The earliest domestic clocks in the American colonies were English-made "lantern" clocks, with brass gear trains held between pillars.
Description
The earliest domestic clocks in the American colonies were English-made "lantern" clocks, with brass gear trains held between pillars. Along with fully furnished "best" beds, looking glasses, sofas, silver, and case furniture, such clocks were the household objects consistently assigned the highest monetary value in inventories of possessions.
By the 18th century, the most common style of domestic clock came to look more like a piece of household furniture. A wooden case enclosed the movement, weights, and pendulum. Through a glass window the dial was visible.
In 1769, Pennsylvania clockmaker and millwright Joseph Ellicott completed this complicated tall case clock. On three separate dials, it tells the time and shows the phases of the moon; depicts on an orrery the motions of the sun, moon, and planets; and plays selected twenty-four musical tunes on the hour.
The musical dial on the Ellicott clock allows the listener to choose from twelve pairs of tunes. Each pair includes a short tune and a long one. On the hour only the short tune plays, but every third hour, both play. During a tune, automaton figures at the top of the dial appear to tap their feet in time to the music, and a small dog between them jumps up and down.
Joseph Ellicott moved from the Philadelphia area to Maryland in 1772 and, with his brothers Andrew and John, set up a flour-milling operation in what is now Ellicott City. The clock was a centerpiece in Ellicott family homes for generations.
Who else owned clocks in early America? Clock owners, like the American colonists themselves, were not a homogeneous group. Where a person lived influenced the probability of owning a timepiece. In 1774, for example, New Englanders and Middle Atlantic colonials were equally likely to own a timepiece. In those regions, roughly 13 or 14 adults out of 100 had a clock in their possessions when they died. Among Southern colonists at that time, only about 6 in 100 had a clock.
Date made
1769
user
Ellicott, Joseph
maker
Ellicott, Joseph
ID Number
1999.0276.01
accession number
1999.0276
catalog number
1999.0276.01
Black and white print; half length portrait of a man (R. Walsh Jr.) with his head resting on his hand and his elbow resting on an open book.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print; half length portrait of a man (R. Walsh Jr.) with his head resting on his hand and his elbow resting on an open book.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Sully, Thomas
Childs, Cephas Grier
ID Number
DL.60.3135
catalog number
60.3135
accession number
228146
Color print of a large panoramic view of Philadelphia. The New Jersey shore is in the foreground. A key identifies aspects of the view. Three small vignettes, below the main image above the title, are of the State House, Old Courthouse and Friends Meeting House, and the prison.
Description (Brief)
Color print of a large panoramic view of Philadelphia. The New Jersey shore is in the foreground. A key identifies aspects of the view. Three small vignettes, below the main image above the title, are of the State House, Old Courthouse and Friends Meeting House, and the prison.
Date made
1875
maker
Wade, F. J.
ID Number
DL.60.3752
catalog number
60.3752
Color print of the steamship "New Jersey" in flames. Passengers are jumping off the ship and many are already in the water. The names of all on board are listed below the image in groupings: the dead {31}, the missing {30}, the saved {46}.
Description (Brief)
Color print of the steamship "New Jersey" in flames. Passengers are jumping off the ship and many are already in the water. The names of all on board are listed below the image in groupings: the dead {31}, the missing {30}, the saved {46}.
Date made
1856
maker
Pharazyn, A.
ID Number
DL.60.3301
catalog number
60.3301
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
Bulging, circular body with plain rim, flat bottom and open-ended, tapered tubular handle fitted over and double-riveted through an integrally cast extension; white enameled interior.
Description
Bulging, circular body with plain rim, flat bottom and open-ended, tapered tubular handle fitted over and double-riveted through an integrally cast extension; white enameled interior. Hollow cast with seam around middle and single gate mark at center of bottom underside; cast-in marks "MARIETTA PA / M H & E C\o" and "5 QTS" in incuse sans serif letters at perimeter on underside. No cover.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.64.0939
catalog number
64.0939
accession number
253789
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date designed
1954
date made
c.1954
date produced
ca. 1960
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Gailstyn Company
ID Number
1992.0257.11D
catalog number
1992.0257.11D
accession number
1992.0257
Chain of 14 links with dagger at one end and arrow at the other. Handwritten tag accompanying piece reads "Chain made by / J. W. Van Kirk. 1876. / Cut from solid wood with / a pocket knife."Currently not on view
Description
Chain of 14 links with dagger at one end and arrow at the other. Handwritten tag accompanying piece reads "Chain made by / J. W. Van Kirk. 1876. / Cut from solid wood with / a pocket knife."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876
ID Number
DL.034067.0001
catalog number
034067.0001
accession number
34067
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1875-1900
c.1875-1900
maker
Gillinder & Sons
ID Number
1986.0446.0070
accession number
1986.0446
catalog number
1986.446.70
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
Raised ovoid sauceboat with rounded sides and narrow pouring lip on a circular flared or trumpet-shape pedestal atop a flat oval base with applied seamed sides; cast beading at rim and bottom edge of pedestal.
Description
Raised ovoid sauceboat with rounded sides and narrow pouring lip on a circular flared or trumpet-shape pedestal atop a flat oval base with applied seamed sides; cast beading at rim and bottom edge of pedestal. One side of body is engraved "JPG" in conjoined foliate script inside a heart-shaped cartouche topped by a tripartite scroll motif draped with bright-cut swags; two crossed ears of wheat below. Double C-curve handle has an open-ended, scrolled leaf upper terminal and split bud lower terminal. Centerpunch on underside of rounded body. Underside of flat base struck twice "JLownes" in raised script in a partially-conforming rectangle; pedestal underside scratched "twt / 27,,2".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1795
ID Number
DL.383544
catalog number
383544
accession number
162866
Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug engraved "RUTH BRADLEE" on front in shaded block letters. Molded rim, rounded bottom, and cast stepped circular foot.
Description
Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug engraved "RUTH BRADLEE" on front in shaded block letters. Molded rim, rounded bottom, and cast stepped circular foot. Hollow, double C-scroll handle has a sprigged upper terminal with flared strut and a split scroll lower terminal with cylindrical strut and oval attachment. Bottom underside struck above and below centerpoint "PERKINS" in incuse serif letters with possible traces of a surround.
Maker is Jacob Perkins (1766-1829); worked in Newburyport, 1783-1816, in Boston briefly, and in Philadelphia, from 1816.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1810 - 1820
ID Number
DL.383560
catalog number
383560
accession number
162866
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
Large, baluster-shaped pitcher on domed foot with bulbous body seamed near middle and tall, raised incurved neck flaring to a curved rim with wide pouring lip; cast gadrooning applied at rim and ribbing at foot.
Description
Large, baluster-shaped pitcher on domed foot with bulbous body seamed near middle and tall, raised incurved neck flaring to a curved rim with wide pouring lip; cast gadrooning applied at rim and ribbing at foot. Armorial engraving on one side of body consists of the coronet of a Spanish marquess above a quartered coat of arms on an oval escutcheon. Cast, hollow, double C-curve handle with acanthus upper terminal and engraved acanthus below. Underside of rounded bottom is struck twice with two marks around centerpunch: "H.I.PEPPER" in raised serif letters in a rectangle stamped on opposite sides facing inwards, and "PHILAD\A" in raised serif letters in a serrated rectangle on the other two sides facing inward; "53/1" scratched below one of the maker's marks. Part of set, DL*59.2201A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1830
ID Number
DL.59.2201B
catalog number
59.2201B
accession number
70138
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
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
1800 - 1900
ID Number
DL.64.0272
catalog number
64.0272
accession number
250453
Two-handled, rectangular, rounded-bottom bowl on a rectangular, stepped pedestal base with applied reeded molding for foot; flared cover is chased with veined leaves and topped by a cast rectangular urn.
Description
Two-handled, rectangular, rounded-bottom bowl on a rectangular, stepped pedestal base with applied reeded molding for foot; flared cover is chased with veined leaves and topped by a cast rectangular urn. Body consists of a wide, die-rolled band of grapevine and oak branch decoration at rim and a raised lower section with bulbous upper half and two overlapping rows of chased points around bottom. Right-angled, reeded strap handles. Underside of body is struck with four hallmarks, but no maker's mark; centerpunch visible. Opposite ends of base underside are struck with seller's marks. From a four-piece service, DL*383361-DL*383363A-B.
Hallmarks appear to be those for Chester, England, in 1814, although there is no town mark. Sellers are Liberty Browne (1776-1831) and William Seal (active, circa 1810-circa 1822) of Philadelphia, PA; in partnership, circa 1810-1811.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1814
ID Number
DL.383362
catalog number
383362
accession number
167322
This coverlet features a large central rose medallion with starburst at the center surrounded by an ivy garland. A triangle-motif section rings this followed by a wide border of roses and foliate designs. There are bouquets of flowers in each corner.
Description
This coverlet features a large central rose medallion with starburst at the center surrounded by an ivy garland. A triangle-motif section rings this followed by a wide border of roses and foliate designs. There are bouquets of flowers in each corner. This coverlet is double cloth, but the weave is unbalanced. The colored wool weft yards are loosely twisted 2-ply, s-twist, z-spun in red, green, blue, and purple, and the white cotton singles are z-spun. There is also a cotton drab warp of z-spun singles and white cotton z-spun singles. The weaver tripled these singles in the warp and wove them as one. There is a self-fringe on 2 sides, and an applied woven fringe in wool weft colors stitched to lower edge. The coverlet was purchased by the donor’s mother sometime in the late nineteenth century. She lived in Newport, Maine and kept the coverlet sealed in a trunk until 1913 when it was gifted to her daughters. It is likely that Mrs. Grindell purchased the coverlet while visiting Philadelphia for the Centennial Exposition. Coverlets in this style and color combination were sold at the Expo, and coverlets with horizontal color banding have been associated with Pennsylvania or Pennsylvania-trained weavers throughout the nineteenth century. The colors used to dye the wool are synthetic dyes that became popular during the 1860s onward, lending more credence to the dating of these coverlet c. 1870-1880. There is no center seam and the design, although bold, lacks the refinement of earlier, hand-woven coverlets, suggesting fully-industrialized, power-loom, factory production.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1900
late 19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T13987
catalog number
T13987.000
accession number
268777
Lidless, seamed tapered cylindrical tankard or mug scored with two sets of six lines around body and engraved "CMH" in conjoined foliate script on front. Applied bead-molded rim, seamed base molding with plain footring, and flat bottom set in.
Description
Lidless, seamed tapered cylindrical tankard or mug scored with two sets of six lines around body and engraved "CMH" in conjoined foliate script on front. Applied bead-molded rim, seamed base molding with plain footring, and flat bottom set in. Hollow S- and C-curve handle has faceted face and heart-shaped lower terminal. Centerpoint on bottom inside. Bottom underside struck once at center "C.Wiltberger" in raised roman letters in a conforming surround.
Maker is Christian Wiltberger (1766-1851) of Philadelphia, PA; working by 1793 (when partnership with Samuel Alexander dissolved) until 1817.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1793-1817
ID Number
DL.383600
catalog number
383600
accession number
162866
Raised circular urn-shape teapot with double-flared or -trumpeted, hinged lid topped by a large cast ball on a flared circular pedestal atop a square base with applied sides; one side of body is engraved with a large shaded foliate script "G".
Description
Raised circular urn-shape teapot with double-flared or -trumpeted, hinged lid topped by a large cast ball on a flared circular pedestal atop a square base with applied sides; one side of body is engraved with a large shaded foliate script "G". Beading at edges of lid, base of almost flat, incurved neck, top and bottom of pedestal, face and back of the S-curve spout and at tops of the cylindrical sockets, into which is pinned a C-curve handle with scrolled waterleaf. Body perforated at spout. Outside of base opposite monogram is struck "I•M\c/.Mullin" in raised italic roman letters in a rectangle. Inside of lid incised "oz / 22= dwt / 13". No marks on underside. Part of a six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*037807-DL*037812.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1797
ID Number
DL.037809
catalog number
037809
accession number
117389
Black and white print; bust portrait of a man (William Bradford Reed). Facsimile of sitter's signature is below the image.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print; bust portrait of a man (William Bradford Reed). Facsimile of sitter's signature is below the image.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1855
depicted
Reed, William Bradford
maker
Wagner & McGuigan
Traubel, Morris H.
ID Number
DL.60.3128
catalog number
60.3128
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
est. 1899
ID Number
CE.240
catalog number
240
accession number
57114

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