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.

This bedcovering and two matching pillowcases were made in China in the 1920s. Rev. Alexander Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister in China at the time, sent them to the United States on the birth of his nephew, James Cunningham, in 1926.
Description
This bedcovering and two matching pillowcases were made in China in the 1920s. Rev. Alexander Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister in China at the time, sent them to the United States on the birth of his nephew, James Cunningham, in 1926. Twenty 7¾-inch square blocks of white and blue cottons are framed by a white border. The white squares have appliquéd figures depicting various childhood activities such as fishing, juggling, leaping, and ball play. The animated appliquéd figures are made of overlapping blue circles, and all wear hats.
Alexander Cunningham was born March 13, 1861, in Murrayville, Illinois. He graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1887 and McCormick Theological Seminary in 1890. In that same year he married Mary E. Neely, and they left for China to become missionaries. Assigned to the Presbyterian North China Mission, they were active missionaries in China from 1890 to 1933, and after retirement continued to live in China until 1940. After fifty years as missionaries, they returned to California on the eve of World War II. Alexander Cunningham died in Los Angeles, California, on September 20, 1943. This appliquéd bedcovering with matching pillowcases may be the product of a mission where Rev. Alexander Cunningham served.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1926
quilter
unknown
ID Number
1986.0676.01
catalog number
1986.0676.01
accession number
1986.0676
This is one of two matching appliqued pillowcases and a bedcover that were made in China in the 1920s. Rev. Alexander Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister in China at the time, sent them to the United States on the birth of his nephew, James Cunningham, in 1926.
Description
This is one of two matching appliqued pillowcases and a bedcover that were made in China in the 1920s. Rev. Alexander Cunningham, a Presbyterian minister in China at the time, sent them to the United States on the birth of his nephew, James Cunningham, in 1926. Both pillowcases are white with a single blue square at each end. On either side of each blue square is a figure of a boy with a ball, a bird, a cat, and a dog; all are made of overlapping blue circles.
Alexander Cunningham was born March 13, 1861, in Murrayville, Illinois. He graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1887 and McCormick Theological Seminary in 1890. In that same year he married Mary E. Neely, and they left for China to become missionaries. Assigned to the Presbyterian North China Mission, they were active missionaries in China from 1890 to 1933, and after retirement continued to live in China until 1940. After fifty years as missionaries, they returned to California on the eve of World War II. Alexander Cunningham died in Los Angeles, California, on September 20, 1943. This appliquéd pillowcase with the matching bedcover may be the product of a mission where Rev. Alexander Cunningham served.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1926
quilter
unknown
ID Number
1986.0676.02
catalog number
1986.0676.02
accession number
1986.0676
Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased, raised globular teapot on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared, hinged lid having a downturned, scalloped edge and an Oriental man seated cross-legged with his left hand on left knee and right arm against body for finial.
Description
Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased, raised globular teapot on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared, hinged lid having a downturned, scalloped edge and an Oriental man seated cross-legged with his left hand on left knee and right arm against body for finial. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on one side two men, one wearing a hat and the other standing behind the latticework fence of a pagoda complex, conversing at river's edge with additional pavilions amidst pine and coconut trees at left and on opposite shore and a flower-filled garden urn and sampan at right; opposite side has large pine and coconut trees bending over a bridge to form empty reserve at center. High-loop, C-curve handle composed of overlapping leaves is pinned into ivory insulators with bases of flared leaves. Short S-curve spout covered with acanthus and overlapping ruffled shells; body perforated at spout.
Rounded underside is struck above and below centerpunch "BAILEY & CO." and "PHIL[AD.]" in raised roman letters in rectangles, with "15398" scratched between marks and "#135" scratched upside-down further below.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0003
catalog number
276317.0003
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
Two-handled, raised bulbous baluster-shaped hot water urn with overall Chinoserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a circular stand having four S-scroll legs of overlapping shells topped by putti masks and ending in shell feet that are connected by floral garlands.
Description
Two-handled, raised bulbous baluster-shaped hot water urn with overall Chinoserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a circular stand having four S-scroll legs of overlapping shells topped by putti masks and ending in shell feet that are connected by floral garlands. Flared cover with downturned, scalloped edge features an Oriental man seated cross-legged with his left hand on left knee and right arm against body for finial; matching figure serves as grip on spigot handle. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on front two birds in flight above two men walking towards each other at river's edge framed by pavilion complexes and two inclined pines, additional juts of land with pagodas and a sampan in distance; back has large pine and coconut trees bending over bridge to form empty reserve at center. High-loop, C-curve handles of overlapping leaves are pinned into ivory insulators and have bases of flared leaves. Cast garlands on the stand hide the burner frame which holds a removable, flattened globular, screw-top double spirit burner on molded foot; wicks included. Pins on small link chains fastened to the stand fit into three- and five-knuckle hinges on front and back of urn to secure it in place or allow it to tilt.
Underside of urn and burner both struck with same marks around centerpunch: an oval mark for "BAILEY & C\O/. (arched) / 136 / CHESTNUT S\T/. PHILA (curved)" in incuse roman letters below four pseudo hallmarks (spreadwing eagle clutching laurel leaves and arrows in rounded rectangle, raised roman "U" in oval, 4-pointed American shield, and left-facing saddled elephant statant in clipped-corner rectangle). Burner additionally inscribed "15398" upside down above marks. No marks on stand.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1850
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0001
catalog number
276317.0001
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
Two-handled, raised globular creamer with overall Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared cover having a downturned, scalloped edge and reclining Oriental man gazing at object in his left hand for finial.
Description
Two-handled, raised globular creamer with overall Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared cover having a downturned, scalloped edge and reclining Oriental man gazing at object in his left hand for finial. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on one side two men in hats, one carrying a lantern on pole, walking towards each other at river's edge amidst five pagodas on both shores, a sampan at left and pine tree in left distance; opposite side has large pine and coconut trees bending over a bridge to form an empty reserve at center. Small, C-curve handles composed of overlapping leaves have bases of flared leaves.
Rounded underside is struck above and below centerpunch "BAILEY & CO." and "PHILADA." in raised roman letters in rectangles, with "#135" scratched below.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0005
catalog number
276317.0005
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased, raised globular creamer on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared, hinged lid having a downturned, scalloped edge and kneeling Oriental man holding fan in left hand for finial.
Description
Chinoiserie and floral repousse chased, raised globular creamer on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot with flared, hinged lid having a downturned, scalloped edge and kneeling Oriental man holding fan in left hand for finial. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on one side a pavilion behind fence and pagoda at river's edge with additional buildings on opposite shore and sampan at left; opposite side has large pine and coconut trees bending over a bridge to form empty reserve at center; no figures. C-curve handle is composed of overlapping leaves with flared leaves at bases. Stubby, wide, S-curve spout is covered with acanthus and overlapping ruffled shells.
Rounded underside is struck above and below centerpunch "BAILEY & CO." and "PHILADA." in raised roman letters in rectangles, with "15398" scratched directly above marks and "#135" to left.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0004
catalog number
276317.0004
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
Handleless, raised globular waste or slop bowl with everted or downturned scalloped rim, incurved neck and overall Chinoiserie and floral repousse decoration on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot.
Description
Handleless, raised globular waste or slop bowl with everted or downturned scalloped rim, incurved neck and overall Chinoiserie and floral repousse decoration on a double-domed, circular pedestal foot. Continuous landscape design around body features pagodas, one with curved latticework fence, and pavilion complexes along a river with two sampans under sail, interrupted by large pine and coconut trees bending over a bridge to form an empty reserve.
Rounded underside is struck above and below centerpunch "BAILEY & CO." and "PHILADA." in raised roman letters in rectangles, with "#135" scratched upside down below.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0006
catalog number
276317.0006
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
Bail-handled, raised globular kettle with overall Chinoserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a circular stand having four S-scroll legs topped by crowned bearded man's masks in scallop shells and ending in shell feet that are connected by floral garlands.
Description
Bail-handled, raised globular kettle with overall Chinoserie and floral repousse chased decoration on a circular stand having four S-scroll legs topped by crowned bearded man's masks in scallop shells and ending in shell feet that are connected by floral garlands. Flared, swing-up, hinged lid with downturned, scalloped edge features an Oriental man seated cross-legged with his left hand on left knee and right arm against body for finial. Continuous landscape design around body depicts on front a bird in flight above two men, one holding flowers and the other a lantern on pole, walking towards each other at river's edge framed by pavilion complexes and two inclined pines, a lamppost at right and additional juts of land with pagodas and a sampan in distance; back has large pine and coconut trees bending over bridge to form empty reserve at center. Bail handle has a hollow, bow-shaped grip pinned into thin ivory insulators and cast S-curve supports; bow face decorated with a cast cartouche applied at center amidst engraved flowers, while underside has ruffled acanthus. S-curve spout covered with acanthus and overlapping ruffled shells; body perforated at spout. Cast garlands on the stand hide the burner frame which holds a removable, ring-handled, bowl-shaped, double spirit burner with screw top on plain footring; wicks included. Pins on small link chains fastened to the stand fit into three- and five-knuckle hinges on opposite sides of kettle to secure it in place and allow it to tilt.
Underside of kettle and burner both struck above and below centerpunch: "BAILEY & CO." and "PHILAD." in raised roman letters in rectangles; kettle is scratched "233" between those marks, while burner has three additional marks oriented sideways between them (spreadwing eagle clutching laurel leaves and arrows in rounded rectangle above the raised roman letters "U" and "S" in ovals). Faint track marks across burner underside. No marks on stand.
Part of six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*276317.0001-.0006.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1853
ca 1853 - 1857
maker; retailer
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.276317.0002
catalog number
276317.0002
accession number
276317
catalog number
276317.1-6
One of a pair of blue-green porcelain spoons that were made in China and used in Mendocino, California. This type of spoon was known by white Californians as a "railroad spoon," presumably because of its association with Chinese railroad laborers.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
One of a pair of blue-green porcelain spoons that were made in China and used in Mendocino, California. This type of spoon was known by white Californians as a "railroad spoon," presumably because of its association with Chinese railroad laborers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850 - 1875
ID Number
CL.65.1374B
accession number
280280
catalog number
65.1374B

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