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.

Two-handled, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handles have scrolled acanthus sprigs and conical struts.
Description
Two-handled, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handles have scrolled acanthus sprigs 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.66.0277
catalog number
66.0277
accession number
263347
Dinner knife. Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade, bolster, tang, and butt are one piece of steel. Ivory scales are riveted to the tang with steel pins. Block handle has curved sides with chamfered edges and rounded butt. Scratched overall and discolored.
Description
Dinner knife. Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade, bolster, tang, and butt are one piece of steel. Ivory scales are riveted to the tang with steel pins. Block handle has curved sides with chamfered edges and rounded butt. Scratched overall and discolored. Ivory is yellowed and crazed, cracked near edges. White residue on one side. No mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800- 1899
ID Number
1986.0531.076
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.076
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878 - 1896
ID Number
DL.60.0976
catalog number
60.0976
accession number
68743
Amber bottle glass. Form: Jar or bowl with double body, ring sides, no neck and large opening. Lip was ben in a triangle while glass was hot. Decorated with broad leaves in metallic blue, iridescent. Purchased from Charles Tiffany, $20.00.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Amber bottle glass. Form: Jar or bowl with double body, ring sides, no neck and large opening. Lip was ben in a triangle while glass was hot. Decorated with broad leaves in metallic blue, iridescent. Purchased from Charles Tiffany, $20.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
maker
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, or Tiffany Studios
ID Number
CE.96421
catalog number
96421
accession number
30453
maker number
4952
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
Consists of a two-handled, wide-rimmed, circular bowl or dish on straight tapered foot ring with butter knife holder attached to body, a domed cover topped by a cast finial, and a removable, crosslet-pierced liner inside.
Description
Consists of a two-handled, wide-rimmed, circular bowl or dish on straight tapered foot ring with butter knife holder attached to body, a domed cover topped by a cast finial, and a removable, crosslet-pierced liner inside. Bottom edge of cover and foot ring have matching die-stamped bands featuring rectangular panels of flowers. Dish is struck incuse on underside of its flat bottom with circular mark for "SIMPSON, HALL, MILLER & CO / +" encircling "TREBLE / PLATE" at center; "38" stamped above. Cover and liner are not marked. No butter knife.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866 - 1899
ca 1880
maker
Simpson, Hall, Miller, and Co.
ID Number
DL.67.0729
catalog number
67.0729
accession number
248268
Double-sided, rectangular stamp box with two snap-closure lids hinged at opposite edges; one lid features a repousse genre scene or vignette of an unruly classroom and the other a stamped symmetrical design of foliate scrolls and five rosettes on a crosshatched ground.
Description
Double-sided, rectangular stamp box with two snap-closure lids hinged at opposite edges; one lid features a repousse genre scene or vignette of an unruly classroom and the other a stamped symmetrical design of foliate scrolls and five rosettes on a crosshatched ground. Slanted interior plate is divided into three equal sections on both sides. Single sword mark at one end of both lids. Box is stamped on one end "HOLLAND" in incuse sans serif letters at corner diagonal from three partial marks, a letter, shield and imperial crown; opposite end has single sword overstruck with key and is incised "318578" along one short edge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early 20th century
post 1891
ID Number
DL.60.1857
catalog number
60.1857
accession number
200122
Square, hinged lid, retail box or tin for "KENNEDY'S / CHAMPION / BISCUIT", sold by F. A. Kennedy Company, Cambridgeport, MA.
Description
Square, hinged lid, retail box or tin for "KENNEDY'S / CHAMPION / BISCUIT", sold by F. A. Kennedy Company, Cambridgeport, MA. A chromolithographed label covers the box front and features the product name in yellow-bordered, white letters against yellow ears of wheat in a black reserve bordered by red and white lines on a blue ground; small print along bottom states "MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW YORK BISCUIT CO." One-piece, flat lid has a wire-rolled rim, a scrolled clasp lock and two hinges. Three-piece box with an inward-folded rim has folded vertical seams inside two corners and a flat bottom with folded edge. Tinned interior.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1889-1898
ID Number
DL.238049.0082
catalog number
238049.0082
accession number
238049
Favrile glass. Common greenish glass, with upper part colored a creamy gray. Form: two cone-shaped bodies united by three tubular necks and a middle one of triangular shape. Upper part of body has 16 sides with a circular slightly flaring lip.
Description (Brief)
Favrile glass. Common greenish glass, with upper part colored a creamy gray. Form: two cone-shaped bodies united by three tubular necks and a middle one of triangular shape. Upper part of body has 16 sides with a circular slightly flaring lip. Purchased from Charles Tiffany, $4.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1893 - 96
maker
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, or Tiffany Studios
ID Number
CE.96430
catalog number
96430
accession number
30453
maker number
5929
Dinner knife, part of a matching set (see 1986.0531.050 fork). Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel.
Description
Dinner knife, part of a matching set (see 1986.0531.050 fork). Straight steel blade with rounded tip. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel. Horn scales are riveted to the top and bottom of the tang with brass pins to form a tapered block handle with chamfered edges and blunt butt. Blade is scratched and discolored, tang is rusted. Horn is scratched, cracked and chipped around edges, separated from tang.
Blade is stamped: “H. G. L & Co/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is H. G. Long & Company, active in Sheffield, England ca 1846-present (now a division of H. M. Slater).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1846- 1890
ID Number
1986.0531.049
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.049
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1893-1899
ID Number
1993.0592.06
accession number
1993.0592
catalog number
1993.0592.06
Two-handled, covered, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. Slightly domed cover is topped by a ring of matching floral scrolls.
Description
Two-handled, covered, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. Slightly domed cover is topped by a ring of matching floral scrolls. C-curve handles have scrolled acanthus sprigs 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.66.0276
catalog number
66.0276
accession number
263347
Dinner knife. Straight silver-plated blade with rounded tip and rectangular bolster. Silver ferrule with diamond relief and band of rope at top and bottom. Fluted teardrop-shaped handle comprised of two pieces of mother-of-pearl fused at sides. Pointed butt.
Description
Dinner knife. Straight silver-plated blade with rounded tip and rectangular bolster. Silver ferrule with diamond relief and band of rope at top and bottom. Fluted teardrop-shaped handle comprised of two pieces of mother-of-pearl fused at sides. Pointed butt. Blade and ferrule are tarnished, scratched. Minor discoloration on handle.
Blade is etched: “LANDERS FRARY & CLARK/12./TRIPLE PLATE”
Maker is Landers, Frary & Clark, New Britain, Connecticut (c. 1862). In 1890, L. F. & C. took on the Trademark “Universal”, in 1965, General Electric acquired the company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1880- 1897
maker
Landers, Frary & Clark
ID Number
1986.0531.063
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.063
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.67.0785
catalog number
67.0785
accession number
269842
Favrile glass. Body of common bottle glass. Form: Flattened bulbous body with large, high tapering cylindrical neck would with a spiral thread of glass. Decorated with glass coating which changes according to the light from a deep blue green to a red purple.
Description (Brief)
Favrile glass. Body of common bottle glass. Form: Flattened bulbous body with large, high tapering cylindrical neck would with a spiral thread of glass. Decorated with glass coating which changes according to the light from a deep blue green to a red purple. Purchased from William Tiffany, $25.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
maker
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, or Tiffany Studios
ID Number
CE.96424
catalog number
96424
accession number
30453
maker number
x 137 (etched)
Small, rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid featuring continuous, vertical, repousse fluting with leafy volutes around case and spiral, volute-ended fluting or lobes across lid and case bottom. Notched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior.
Description
Small, rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid featuring continuous, vertical, repousse fluting with leafy volutes around case and spiral, volute-ended fluting or lobes across lid and case bottom. Notched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior. Collar outside is struck incuse on one side (hinge at right) with Gorham trademark (right-facing lion passant in clipped-corner square, anchor in shield, and gothic or Old English "G" in clipped-corner square) and "STERLING" in serif letters, and on opposite side with date mark of a waxing crescent moon and "1075".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
maker
Gorham Manufacturing Company
ID Number
DL.60.2160
catalog number
60.2160
accession number
200122
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
Favrile glass, made of a dark opaque glass. Decorated with designs formed of yellow and silver lines, something like the leaves of the wild turnip on a ground of dark metallic iridescent luster. Form: A globular body, the shoulder deeply indented in four places.
Description (Brief)
Favrile glass, made of a dark opaque glass. Decorated with designs formed of yellow and silver lines, something like the leaves of the wild turnip on a ground of dark metallic iridescent luster. Form: A globular body, the shoulder deeply indented in four places. The top depressed, a short cylindrical neck. Purchased Charles Tiffany, $20.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1893 - 96
maker
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, or Tiffany Studios
ID Number
CE.96443
catalog number
96443
accession number
30453
maker number
4914
Oblong, boat-shaped tray with piercework border and applied beaded rim on four ball feet.
Description
Oblong, boat-shaped tray with piercework border and applied beaded rim on four ball feet. Four incuse marks on underside are struck one at each side and end, all facing inward, "MOORE & LEDING" over "STERLING", "925/1000", calligraphy letters "H" and "L" separated by a raised four-leaf clover, and "854"; "718X" is scratched below quality mark.
Maker is Howard Sterling Company of Providence, RI; in business, 1891-1902. Successor firm to H. Howard & Co., 1878-1884, and Howard & Son, 1884-1891. Both produced only electroplated wares until 1886, when Howard & Son began making sterling silverware. The electroplate division was sold in 1891 and the firm renamed itself Howard Sterling Company.
Retailed by Moore & Leding, jewelers and silversmiths, of Washington, DC; in business, 1881-1899. Firm also designed souvenir spoons made for them by Gorham.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1891 - 1899
date sold
1891 - 1899
ID Number
DL.383716
catalog number
383716
accession number
166645
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
DL.382086A
catalog number
382086A
accession number
162081
This hand-modeled and molded, unglazed red earthenware pitcher honors Frederick Douglass, "Slave Orator/ United States Marshall, Recorder of Deeds D.C./ Diplomat."Although the maker is unknown, we do know that the design for the pitcher was copyrighted by a J. E.
Description
This hand-modeled and molded, unglazed red earthenware pitcher honors Frederick Douglass, "Slave Orator/ United States Marshall, Recorder of Deeds D.C./ Diplomat."
Although the maker is unknown, we do know that the design for the pitcher was copyrighted by a J. E. Bruce of Albany, New York, in 1896, one year after Douglass's death.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1895
designer
Bruce, J. E.
maker
unknown
ID Number
1981.0353.1
accession number
1981.0353
catalog number
1981.0353.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
est. 1899
ID Number
CE.240
catalog number
240
accession number
57114
Stove-top waffle iron consisting of a low, circular base with a curved, open teardrop-shaped handle that holds a pair of removable, circular plates connected by a three-knuckle hinge and patterned with a four-quadrant grid of squares.
Description
Stove-top waffle iron consisting of a low, circular base with a curved, open teardrop-shaped handle that holds a pair of removable, circular plates connected by a three-knuckle hinge and patterned with a four-quadrant grid of squares. Notches in base allow the plates to be flipped and rotated 180 degrees. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
DL.380922
catalog number
380922
accession number
156955
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1892
ID Number
CE.P-144ab
catalog number
P-144ab
accession number
225282

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