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.

Before becoming an international phenomenon, the Arts and Crafts movement began with the ideas of British artisan William Morris (1834-1896) and writer John Ruskin (1819-1900).
Description
Before becoming an international phenomenon, the Arts and Crafts movement began with the ideas of British artisan William Morris (1834-1896) and writer John Ruskin (1819-1900). Morris and Ruskin believed that the growth of cities isolated urban workers and that mass production negatively affected artisan crafts. They proposed to solve these issues by returning to a medieval-inspired village model where everybody participated in a community lifestyle. In the United States, artisans adapted these ideas into the studio art pottery movement. Unlike their British counterparts, who often focused predominantly on social issues and therefore made objects that incorporated Gothic and Renaissance motifs, American craftsmen developed a cohesive and novel aesthetic.
Rookwood developed a matte glaze around 1900 to compete with the forest-green hues of the popular Grueby Faience Company. Unlike Grueby’s glaze, which appears waxy and leafy, Rookwood’s interpretation often uses pastel tones with a vellum-like finish. The transition from Rookwood’s earlier “standard glaze” (a deep mahogany brown color gradating into yellow) showcases how competitive ceramics companies were able to preserve their art pottery production while keeping up with changing trends. Rookwood’s vellum glaze in particular helped the company win a Grand Prize at a 1904 international competition and was the company’s last internationally-recognized glaze.
Collectors often refer to vases decorated in this fashion as “Scenic Vellums” because of their glaze and depiction of romanticized landscapes. Decorator Edward George Diers painted this vase with a delicate birch pattern, alluding to the American art deco preference for linear decoration and stylized natural motifs. Records show that Diers began working for Rookwood as a decorator and designer in 1894. He left the company in 1931 – the same year he decorated this vase.
Rookwood developed a matte glaze around 1900 to compete with the forest-green hues of the popular Grueby Faience Company. Unlike Grueby’s glaze, which appears waxy and leafy, Rookwood’s interpretation often uses pastel tones with a vellum-like finish. The transition from Rookwood’s earlier “standard glaze” (a deep mahogany brown color gradating into yellow) showcases how competitive ceramics companies were able to preserve their art pottery production while keeping up with changing trends. Rookwood’s vellum glaze in particular helped the company win a Grand Prize at a 1904 international competition and was the company’s last internationally-recognized glaze.
Collectors often refer to vases decorated in this fashion as “Scenic Vellums” because of their glaze and depiction of romanticized landscapes. Decorator Edward George Diers painted this vase with a delicate birch pattern, alluding to the American art deco preference for linear decoration and stylized natural motifs. Records show that Diers began working for Rookwood as a decorator and designer in 1894. He left the company in 1931 – the same year he decorated this vase.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1931
maker
Rookwood Pottery
ID Number
CE.393622
catalog number
393622
accession number
208838
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date produced
c.1950
date made
c.1950s
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Hull
ID Number
1992.0257.13.ab
accession number
1992.0257
catalog number
1992.0257.13ab
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950 - 1959
1950 - 1959
date produced
ca. 1950
associated dates
1992 06 02 / 1992 06 02
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Kogan, Belle
ID Number
1992.0257.12.ab
accession number
1992.0257
catalog number
1992.0257.12ab
Two-handled, bell-shaped sugar bowl with domed cover topped by a cast fleur-de-lis knop on a reverse cyma-profile base with boss bottom.
Description
Two-handled, bell-shaped sugar bowl with domed cover topped by a cast fleur-de-lis knop on a reverse cyma-profile base with boss bottom. Both sides feature a flat-chased, symmetrical design of two umbrella-shaped flowers and serrated leaves springing from a larger tripartite leaf. Angular handles, rectangular in section, have triple-stacked, upturned, tassel-like thumbrests. Bottom underside struck incuse "ROCKFORD / SILVER PLATE CO." in sans serif letters encircling balanced scales with "QUADRUPLE" above and "700" below; "REM" engraved at upper right and "eh" scratched faintly upside down below. Inside cover engraved "MRKM" and "REM". From a three-piece coffee or tea service, 1982.0114.01-.03; coffeepot is a different pattern than the sugar bowl and creamer.
Maker is Rockford Silver Plate Co. of Rockford, IL, 1882-1956. Successor to Racine Silver Plate Co. of Racine, WI, 1873-1882; became Sheets-Rockford in 1925.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1882
date used
1882 - 1982
ID Number
1982.0114.02
accession number
1982.0114
catalog number
1982.0114.02
Metal churn. Mixing element comprised of one piece of heavy steel, perforated with large circular holes throughout, attached sideways on thick metal shaft.
Description
Metal churn. Mixing element comprised of one piece of heavy steel, perforated with large circular holes throughout, attached sideways on thick metal shaft. Shaft attaches to iron cogwheel and crankwheel at top, which turn to create mixing action, metal arm with unpainted wooden handle attached. Molded handle on side, all upper components are molded iron or steel. Mixing apparatus is attached to thin metal lid, flat with upper lip which fits into top of accompanying container, metal cylinder. Cylinder has white sticker on bottom with "428" handwritten on it. Only mark on mixing apparatus is the number "83" stamped on top.
Unmarked, but may be a product of the maker Bernhardt Novelty Company, Spokane, Washington.
Related patent: US 1215214 A, February 6, 1917, Charles A. Stewart, Worcester, Massachusetts, for "Dasher".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1917-1925
ID Number
DL.322793.28
accession number
322793
catalog number
76-FT-01.1061
collector/donor number
428
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 26,595) of a portable, alcohol or spirit water heater for household and travel use, made by James M. Jay and John Danner of Canton, OH, and patented on December 27, 1859.
Description
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 26,595) of a portable, alcohol or spirit water heater for household and travel use, made by James M. Jay and John Danner of Canton, OH, and patented on December 27, 1859. Consists of a circular, three-part, collapsible burner with slotted top and bottom sections; a water reservoir pan with fustrum of a cone at center; and a flat, friction-fit cover with tag on outside bearing maker's name, place and date. Original patent tag and two reproduction tags with red wove ribbon are printed and handwritten with patent information and object numbers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1859-12-27
patent date
1859-12-27
inventor
Jay, James
Danner, John
ID Number
DL.251774
accession number
48890
patent number
26,595
catalog number
251774
Toy rotary egg beater or food mixer, scale model of handheld rotary beater/mixer. Metal, with red wooden handles. No mark.Currently not on view
Description
Toy rotary egg beater or food mixer, scale model of handheld rotary beater/mixer. Metal, with red wooden handles. No mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1960-1970
ID Number
DL.322793.59
catalog number
322793.59
accession number
322793
Balloon or piano style metal wire whisk. Multiple flexible wires bent into "balloon" shape, with tightly coiled hollow wire handle, and circular metal loop at end for hanging. No mark. Used for beating eggs.Currently not on view
Description
Balloon or piano style metal wire whisk. Multiple flexible wires bent into "balloon" shape, with tightly coiled hollow wire handle, and circular metal loop at end for hanging. No mark. Used for beating eggs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1930
ID Number
DL.322793.56
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
458
catalog number
322793.56
Hand mixer for food. Molded plastic handle, formed for easy grip, dark brown with lines of red "faux" wood grain. Long mixing end, thick bent wire, with single length of coil in a fan shape.Handle is marked: "PAT. NO. 2,390,544".
Description
Hand mixer for food. Molded plastic handle, formed for easy grip, dark brown with lines of red "faux" wood grain. Long mixing end, thick bent wire, with single length of coil in a fan shape.
Handle is marked: "PAT. NO. 2,390,544". Patented to Thomas Lamb, New York, New York, December 11, 1945, for "Handle", "...handles or hand grips adapted for use in connection with many articles which are lifted, pulled, pushed or otherwise manipulated by hand, as for example, luggage, hand tools, flat irons..."
Mixing end is marked: "#1060 U.S. PAT. 2906510". Patented to Victoria P. Harris, New York, New York, September 29, 1959, for "Hand Mixer for Food". "This invention relates to manually-operated mixing devices, and more particularly to devices for blending gravy, sauce, and the like, folding flour into beaten egg whites, aerating fruit juices, and performing similar operations."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1959-1970
ID Number
DL.322793.40
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
442
catalog number
322793.40
Rotary style food mixer, whip, or egg beater (eggbeater). Thin bent wire blades, oval in shape. Heavy cast iron cog and crankwheel at top, molded, with metal arm and wooden handle, laquered black.
Description
Rotary style food mixer, whip, or egg beater (eggbeater). Thin bent wire blades, oval in shape. Heavy cast iron cog and crankwheel at top, molded, with metal arm and wooden handle, laquered black. Heavy cast iron lid/base (black enamel) fits over top of accompanying container, thick (flint) clear transparent glass, molded, square, with flared base and chamfered corners. Lid is embossed: "SILVER NO 3/MEASURING/GLASS EGG/BEATER". Bottom of glass is embossed: "SILVERS/TRADE/MARK/BROOKLYN" inside of circle image, banner on top and bottom of line image of Brooklyn bridge. Body of glass container is embossed across bottom of all four sides: "THE SILVER/NEW/EGG/BEATER"; and embossed down each side with a different measurement: "POUND/FLOUR/SIFTED/EVEN FULL", "1 QUART/EVEN FULL", "LIQUID WEIGHTS", "EVEN FULL/8' 'T' 'CUPS OR/4 COFFEE CUPS", along with measurements in cups, pounds, pint, gills, and ounces.
This mixer was described in a 1910 Silver (& Co.) Catalog: "Square jar wire whip style. Combination egg beater and measuring glass receptacle. Equally good for beating eggs, whipping cream or making any kind of cakes, custards, etc." It was listed in the 1918 Sears Catalog for a price of $1.45.
Related patents: US 332375 A; December 15, 1885, Edwin Baltzley, Washington, District of Columbia, for "Culinary Beater"; US 1220928 A, March 27, 1917, Edwin Baltzley and Louis E. Baltzley, Weehawken, New Jersey, for "Culinary beater".
Maker is The Silver and Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1910-1918
ID Number
DL.322793.05
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
405
catalog number
322793.05
Baluster-shape pitcher with ovoid lower body engraved "Ky. State Ag.\l/ Soc / Premium / 1856" in script at front on an ogee-domed and stepped, circular pedestal base. Tall, incurved neck flares to a curved rim with wide pouring lip. Single bead at rim and base of neck.
Description
Baluster-shape pitcher with ovoid lower body engraved "Ky. State Ag.\l/ Soc / Premium / 1856" in script at front on an ogee-domed and stepped, circular pedestal base. Tall, incurved neck flares to a curved rim with wide pouring lip. Single bead at rim and base of neck. Hollow double C-scroll handle has a leafy sprig with cabochon on top and grapevine decoration on face. Underside of rounded bottom struck incuse "KINSEY" in roman letters. No centerpunch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1856
presentation date
1856
ID Number
DL.383358
catalog number
383358
accession number
167252
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 225,240) of a cooking stove designed for use with the Holly system of steamheating, made by Samuel Silsbee of Cincinnati, OH and patented on March 9, 1880. Painted black.
Description
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 225,240) of a cooking stove designed for use with the Holly system of steamheating, made by Samuel Silsbee of Cincinnati, OH and patented on March 9, 1880. Painted black. Features an oven with plain top plate and stepped or raised steamtable with two circular holes for cooking vessels. Missing its superheater which connected to the two pipes on one side. No marks on object, but darkened paper tags tied to stove door handle with red or purple wove ribbon are printed and handwritten with patent information and object numbers.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1880-03-09
patent date
1880-03-09
ID Number
DL.251429
catalog number
251429
accession number
48890
patent number
225240
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920s - 1930s
ID Number
1986.0123.01
accession number
1986.0123
catalog number
1986.0123.01
Malted milk mixer or plunger style mixer. Glass container, cylindrical, with measuring line on front, marked in 2 ounce intervals between "12 oz." and "2 oz.". Line near top of cylinder is marked: "DO NOT FILL ABOVE/THIS LINE".
Description
Malted milk mixer or plunger style mixer. Glass container, cylindrical, with measuring line on front, marked in 2 ounce intervals between "12 oz." and "2 oz.". Line near top of cylinder is marked: "DO NOT FILL ABOVE/THIS LINE". Bottom of cylinder is marked: PATENT NO./H (over) A/5045/2/1890307". Bottom also has sticker with "421" handwritten on it. Accompanying metal cap fits on top, into lip in cylinder, does not screw on. Flattened top, angled sides, with hole in center to allow mixer to be moved up and down for mixing action. Mixer is comprised of cone-shaped metal plate with slits around perimeter, attached in center to bent wire shaft, with bent handle at top. Top of cap is embossed: "MALTED MILK/MIXER" and stamped: "PAT'D PEND". Mark on bottom is likely the "H over A" mark of the Hazel- Atlas Glass Company (H is worn at top), of Wheeling, West Virginia.
Patent Number US 1890307 A, December 6, 1932, Phillip B. Shailer and Harry P. Troendly, Wm D Gibson Company, Chicago, Illinois, for "Mixing device".
Maker is Hazel-Atlas Glass Company of Wheeling, West Virginia, which had manufacturing plants in Wheeling, WV; Washington, PA; Clarksburg, WV; Zanesville, OH; Grafton, WV; Ada, OK; Pomona, CA; Blackwell, OK; Lancaster, NY; Oakland, CA; Montgomery, AL; and Plainfield, IL.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1932-1940
ID Number
DL.322793.21
accession number
322793
catalog number
76-FT-01.1054
collector/donor number
421
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date produced
1946
date designed
1941
associated dates
1992 06 02 / 1992 06 02
maker
Federal Glass Company
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Federal Glass Company
ID Number
1992.0257.02
catalog number
1992.0257.02
accession number
1992.0257
Bowl beater/mixer or churn. Mixing apparatus is comprised of two four-winged, bulb-shaped mixing components, bent sheet metal, connected with bent metal wire, attached at top to two small cog wheels.
Description
Bowl beater/mixer or churn. Mixing apparatus is comprised of two four-winged, bulb-shaped mixing components, bent sheet metal, connected with bent metal wire, attached at top to two small cog wheels. Large crankwheel sits between cog wheels, and when turned with coiled metal handle creates mixing action. Mixing apparatus is attached to lid, which comes apart into two pieces. Bent metal handle at top. Accompanying mixing bowl is clear glass, fluted sides, pedestal bottom. Based on contemporary advertisements, this may be missing a pouring spout attachment.
Crankwheel is marked: "LADD BEATER/OCT. 18, 1921/OTHER PAT'S PEND./NO.1/NEW YORK, U.S.A./UNITED ROYALTIES CORP." Bottom of bowl has white sticker with "406" handwritten on it. Bowl pedestal is embossed: "'LADD MIXER CHURN'/NO.1"
Maker is Ladd/United Royalties Corporation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1921-1929
ID Number
DL.322793.06
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
406
catalog number
322793.06
Fixed whisk or whip, heavy bent steel tinned wire. Oval-shaped "spoon" bowl. Coiled oval flat whip (entire mixing end is coiled). Twisted wire shaft inserted into unpainted, clear laquered or shellacked wooden handle. Used to beat eggs or cream. No mark.Currently not on view
Description
Fixed whisk or whip, heavy bent steel tinned wire. Oval-shaped "spoon" bowl. Coiled oval flat whip (entire mixing end is coiled). Twisted wire shaft inserted into unpainted, clear laquered or shellacked wooden handle. Used to beat eggs or cream. No mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1935-1940
ID Number
DL.322793.44
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
446
catalog number
322793.44
Rotary style egg beater or food mixer, molded metal (cast iron or steel) housed in a glass mason jar.
Description
Rotary style egg beater or food mixer, molded metal (cast iron or steel) housed in a glass mason jar. Mixing apparatus comprised of two two-winged bulb-shaped blades, bent sheet metal, connected with bent metal wire, attached at top to two cog wheels which enable the mixing action with the connected crankwheel when turned with attached unpainted wooden handle. Molded metal handle at top. Apparatus is attached to silver metal cap with screw threads to attach to top of mason jar.
Mason jar is clear glass, embossed on front: "Kerr/"SELF SEALING"/TRADEMARK REG/WIDE MOUTH/MASON"; bottom of jar is embossed: "KERR GLASS MFG CO/8/PAT/AUG 31/1915/SAND SPRINGS OKLA".
Crankwheel is debossed: "HOLT'S IMPROVED DOVER PATENTED/MADE BY/HOLT-LYON CO TARRYTOWN, N.Y. U.S.A."
Related patent: US 646736 A, April 3, 1900, Thomas Holt, Tarrytown, New York, for "Egg beater".
Maker is Holt-Lyon Company, Tarrytown, New York; Kerr Glass Company, Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1909-1915
ID Number
DL.322793.04
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
404
catalog number
322793.04
According to the donor of this coverlet, it first belonged to Mrs. Ferdinand O’Neal, who lived just outside Zanesville, Ohio. Her maiden name is believed to have been Wheeler, and in about 1863 she married Mr.
Description
According to the donor of this coverlet, it first belonged to Mrs. Ferdinand O’Neal, who lived just outside Zanesville, Ohio. Her maiden name is believed to have been Wheeler, and in about 1863 she married Mr. O’Neal and moved to a home outside of Zanesville, known as “Greenwood.” Mrs. O’Neal passed the coverlet on to her daughter Marcella O’Neal, who passed it on to Martha Margaret O’Neal. The coverlet is made entirely of wool, and was probably woven between 1840 and 1860. It is an overshot weave, seamed together from two pieces. The pattern, of concentric circles linked by small squares giving the effect of a diagonal grid, is similar to one known as “Cup and Saucer.” The weaver is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840-1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
1993.0225.01
accession number
1993.0225
catalog number
1993.0225.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1940s
date designed
1940
date produced
ca. 1945
maker
Federal Glass Company
Kogan, Belle
ID Number
1992.0257.04
catalog number
1992.0257.04
accession number
1992.0257
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date designed
ca. 1955
date produced
1961
Date made
Line: 1961 Shape: Introduced 1955
designer
Diamond, Freda
maker
Libbey Glass Company
designer
Diamond, Freda
ID Number
1997.0157.16D
accession number
1997.0157
catalog number
1997.0157.16D
Rotary style egg beater (eggbeater) or food mixer, with accompanying container. Mixer comprised of two bulb-shaped, two-winged blades, bent sheet metal with third bent wire wings, attached at top to two cog wheels and large metal crankwheel.
Description
Rotary style egg beater (eggbeater) or food mixer, with accompanying container. Mixer comprised of two bulb-shaped, two-winged blades, bent sheet metal with third bent wire wings, attached at top to two cog wheels and large metal crankwheel. Horizontal handle (coiled metal wire) on crankwheel, vertical handle at top, light green with pale yellow stripe, painted, wooden. Mixer is attached to single piece of sheet metal, lid, which sits on top of glass measuring bowl, handled, transparent bright green glass. Bowl has pint, ounce, quart, and cup measurements embossed on side; "H(over)A" and "A&J" diamond trademarks are embossed on bottom. Crankwheel is engraved/stamped: "MADE IN U.S.A./PAT. OCT. 9 1923" with "A&J" diamond trademark. Tag attached with white cotton string, white paper, "408" handwritten.
Patent referenced is likely: US 1470169 A, October 9, 1923, Charles E. Kail, Binghamton, New York, for "Egg beater".
Maker of mixer is A&J (A & J) Manufacturing Company, Binghamton, New York (which was purchased by Ekco Housewares Company, Chicago, Illinois in 1929, all products thereafter had both companies' trademarks).
Maker of measuring bowl is Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, Wheeling, West Virginia, who had manufacturing plants in Wheeling, WV; Washington, PA; Clarksburg, WV; Zanesville, OH; Grafton, WV; Ada, OK; Pomona, CA; Blackwell, OK; Lancaster, NY; Oakland, CA; Montgomery, AL; and Plainfield, IL.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1923-1929
ID Number
DL.322793.08
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
408
catalog number
322793.08
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
Introduced 1957
date made
ca. 1956
c. 1956
designer
Diamond, Freda
maker
Libbey Glass Company
designer
Diamond, Freda
ID Number
1997.0157.01B
catalog number
1997.0157.01B
accession number
1997.0157
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1960s
date made
ca. 1967
ca. 1963
designer
Diamond, Freda
maker
Libbey Glass Company
designer
Diamond, Freda
ID Number
1997.0157.04A
accession number
1997.0157
catalog number
1997.0157.04A

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