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.

Large, plain-rimmed circular dish with shallow, flat well; no foot ring. Rim face is stamped at top "N / D I" in serif letters.
Description
Large, plain-rimmed circular dish with shallow, flat well; no foot ring. Rim face is stamped at top "N / D I" in serif letters. Underside has a very faint, partial touch mark near top of well with "[???]RE(?)[???]" in arched reserve; a crowned "X" is near bottom.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1735
ID Number
DL.388301
catalog number
388301
accession number
182022
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel.
Description
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)
Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel. Bone scales are riveted to the top and bottom of the tang with brass pins to form a tapered block handle with chamfered edges and corners and a blunt butt. Central brass pin on front is larger than the other two. Metal is discolored, scratched and has some rust spots. Much of the tin is worn off. Bone is yellowed and crazed, cracked and chipped around edges and pulling away from the tang.
Underside of baluster is stamped: “STEEL”
Blades of matching knives are stamped: “L . BOOTH/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is possibly L[uke] Booth, active in Sheffield, England in the early 19th century until his death in 1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820- 1840
ID Number
1986.0531.010
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.010
Partial-gilt, two-handled rectangular tray on four leaf-decorated tab feet with a cast grapevine border applied to the convex, pierced latticework rim and loop handles.
Description
Partial-gilt, two-handled rectangular tray on four leaf-decorated tab feet with a cast grapevine border applied to the convex, pierced latticework rim and loop handles. Tray interior is covered with a symmetrical, baroque-style design of ruffled and leafy C scrolls amidst trailing flowers and framing diaper-patterned reserves. Tray underside is struck with a seven-light menorah in a circle along side edge. Underside of one handle has an incuse "12".
Maker is Barker Brothers Silversmiths Ltd. of Birmingham, England, 1907-1931; successor firm to Barker Brothers, 1886-1907, and succeeded by Barker Ellis Silver Co. Ltd. (known as Ellis Barker in the United States). Firm's origin dates back to Mary Barker in 1801.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1912-1931
ID Number
1988.0569.07
accession number
1988.0569
catalog number
1988.0569.07
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Enoch Wood and Sons
ID Number
CE.62.885A
catalog number
62.885A
accession number
171126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Edge, Malkin and Company
ID Number
CE.62.946K
catalog number
62.946K
accession number
171126
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and circular domed foot; gallon size. Two pairs of thick and thin incised lines at shoulder; line at seam. Tapered, S-scroll handle with ridged and tongued thumbrest and lower bud terminal attached above seam.
Description
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and circular domed foot; gallon size. Two pairs of thick and thin incised lines at shoulder; line at seam. Tapered, S-scroll handle with ridged and tongued thumbrest and lower bud terminal attached above seam. Rim exterior stamped to right of handle "1 (overstruck) GALLON" and "IMPERIAL", both in raised serif letters inside serrated rectangles, and to left of handle with a tower over the raised serif letters "A.B.D", all in a rectangle, possibly a verification mark for Aberdeen.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-1870
ID Number
DL.67.0131
catalog number
67.0131
accession number
250853
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Meigh, Charles
ID Number
CE.62.949M
catalog number
62.949M
accession number
171126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Stevenson & Williams
ID Number
CE.62.974O
catalog number
62.974O
accession number
171126
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.Currently not on view
Description
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
1860 - 1910
ID Number
DL.60.0975B
catalog number
60.0975B
accession number
229362
Bristol Low or West Country measure; quarter gill size. Conical or ovoid body with molded neck and incised line at seam; circular, everted rim with flared, molded lip; molded, slightly flared foot.
Description
Bristol Low or West Country measure; quarter gill size. Conical or ovoid body with molded neck and incised line at seam; circular, everted rim with flared, molded lip; molded, slightly flared foot. Tapered, D- or ear-shaped handle has an arched thumbrest; upper bud terminal with oval attachment just below neck; flat lower terminal attached above seam. Illegible mark on rim interior. Rim exterior stamped below spout "I F G". Three faint stamps on bottom outside, one illegible to left of a crowned harp in shield and a seated female figure (Britannia or Hibernia) in shield.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1745-1845
ID Number
DL.67.0129
catalog number
67.0129
accession number
250853
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel.
Description
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)
Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel. Bone scales are riveted to the top and bottom of the tang with brass pins to form a tapered block handle with chamfered edges and corners and a blunt butt. Central brass pin on front is larger than the other two. Metal is discolored, scratched and has some rust spots. Much of the tin is worn off. Bone is yellowed and crazed, cracked and chipped around edges and pulling away from the tang.
Underside of baluster is stamped: “STEEL”
Blades of matching knives are stamped: “L . BOOTH/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is possibly L[uke] Booth, active in Sheffield, England in the early 19th century until his death in 1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820- 1840
ID Number
1986.0531.012
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.012
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mellor, Venables and Company
ID Number
CE.62.955J
catalog number
62.955J
accession number
171126
Cylindrical, black-painted container with friction-fit, low-domed cover faintly stenciled "(???)peper(?)" in gold across top.
Description
Cylindrical, black-painted container with friction-fit, low-domed cover faintly stenciled "(???)peper(?)" in gold across top. Cover and container are made in two pieces, one-piece sides have vertical lapped seams while cover top and flat bottom are attached with folded edges; container has plain rim with raised bead below. No marks. One of seven canisters with spice box, DL*257491.0035-.0042.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th to early 20th century
ID Number
DL.257491.0042
catalog number
257491.0042
accession number
257491
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1792-1804
ID Number
CE.P-820D
catalog number
P-820D
accession number
225282
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
James & Ralph Clews
ID Number
CE.62.905V
catalog number
62.905V
accession number
171126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c.1800
ID Number
CE.P-819B
catalog number
P-819B
accession number
225282
Small, handleless, tapered cylindrical cup or beaker with two bands of five grooves near top and bottom; ounce size. High foot ring. Stamped incuse on bottom exterior "5". No other marks.Currently not on view
Description
Small, handleless, tapered cylindrical cup or beaker with two bands of five grooves near top and bottom; ounce size. High foot ring. Stamped incuse on bottom exterior "5". No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1750-1850
ca 1850-1900
ID Number
DL.67.0092
catalog number
67.0092
accession number
250853
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Job & John Jackson
ID Number
CE.62.942B
catalog number
62.942B
accession number
171126
This transfer printed creamware pitcher is decorated on one side by a compass pattern and a commemoration to George Washington on the other.
Description
This transfer printed creamware pitcher is decorated on one side by a compass pattern and a commemoration to George Washington on the other. The compass design is headed by a scroll that reads “Come Box the Compass” while below is the text “Invented by Murphy a Dutchman AD 1229 first exhibited at Venice 1260 Improved by Giora of Naples 1309 its declination discovered by Hartman 1538.” The other side features an inset portrait of George Washington flanked by the allegorical figures of Liberty and Freedom. A twisting scroll around the portrait bears the names of 15 states, including misspellings of “Tenassee” and “Masachusett.”
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.63.133
catalog number
63.133
accession number
248619
collector/donor number
45-365
This platter features a transfer print of the Pennsylvania Hospital building in Philadelphia and is part of J&W Ridgway's "Beauties of America" series, a blue transfer decorated dinner service decorated with views of American buildings and a border of roses on the vine, superimpo
Description
This platter features a transfer print of the Pennsylvania Hospital building in Philadelphia and is part of J&W Ridgway's "Beauties of America" series, a blue transfer decorated dinner service decorated with views of American buildings and a border of roses on the vine, superimposed on regularly formed, lighter blue leaves.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1814-1830
maker
J & W Ridgway
ID Number
CE.62.909S
catalog number
62.909S
accession number
171126
Jersey measure or flagon with double-acorn thumb piece, engraved "R G C" in serif letters on face of handle; half pint size. Wedge extension is burnt to the plain, pointed and pouted lid; hinge pin possibly embellished. Plain body with a slightly flared rim and incised base.
Description
Jersey measure or flagon with double-acorn thumb piece, engraved "R G C" in serif letters on face of handle; half pint size. Wedge extension is burnt to the plain, pointed and pouted lid; hinge pin possibly embellished. Plain body with a slightly flared rim and incised base. Strap handle with short terminal; cylindrical strut. Crowned "GR" mark stamped incuse to left of handle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1700-1750
ID Number
DL.67.0168
catalog number
67.0168
accession number
250853
This earthenware pitcher is decorated with a transfer printed design of a sailing ship flying on one side with the Great Seal of the United States encircled by a chain of sixteen links.
Description
This earthenware pitcher is decorated with a transfer printed design of a sailing ship flying on one side with the Great Seal of the United States encircled by a chain of sixteen links. Each link has a different state’s name on it, with several state names misspelled due to its British origin. Under the spout is a medallion and the script initials “SW” within it. Under the handle is a print of a flower and around the lip of the jug is a floral pattern. Remnants of gilding can be seen around the pitcher, and certain aspects of the ship scene have been hand-colored. Robert H. McCauley purchased this jug from Edward C. Ford of Marshfield, MA on October 21, 1938 for $60.00.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.63.082
catalog number
63.082
accession number
248881
collector/donor number
310
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
James & Ralph Clews
ID Number
CE.62.901B
catalog number
62.901B
accession number
171126
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

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