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
Black and white print of whaling ships and small whaling boats. The whaling ships are receiving the captains, officiers and crews of the abandoned whalers. The seven whaling ship names are listed below the image and above the title.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of whaling ships and small whaling boats. The whaling ships are receiving the captains, officiers and crews of the abandoned whalers. The seven whaling ship names are listed below the image and above the title.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872
maker
Bufford, John Henry
Newell, J.P.
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3260
catalog number
60.3260
Black and white print of whaling ships; three whaling vessels are anchored in the ice while one, the bark Roman, is trapped and sinking. Men are escaping to the other ships. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of whaling ships; three whaling vessels are anchored in the ice while one, the bark Roman, is trapped and sinking. Men are escaping to the other ships. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872
maker
Bufford, John Henry
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
maker
Newell, J.P.
ID Number
DL.60.3256
catalog number
60.3256
Color print of a whaling scene; five rigged whaling vessels wait while men in two smaller vessels engage in a variety of activities. Captions below the image identify the activities. Walrus on ice on left and right foreground.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a whaling scene; five rigged whaling vessels wait while men in two smaller vessels engage in a variety of activities. Captions below the image identify the activities. Walrus on ice on left and right foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1871
maker
Bufford, John Henry
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3252
catalog number
60.3252
Black and white print of whaling ships; nine whaling vessels are on the edge of an ice field while one, the Awashonks, is trapped. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of whaling ships; nine whaling vessels are on the edge of an ice field while one, the Awashonks, is trapped. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872
maker
Bufford, John Henry
Newell, J.P.
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3257
catalog number
60.3257
Black and white print of six small whaling boats in open water between the ice and shore. Numerous canoes are pulled up on shore and people, campfires, and tents are visible in the background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of six small whaling boats in open water between the ice and shore. Numerous canoes are pulled up on shore and people, campfires, and tents are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872
maker
Bufford, John Henry
Newell, J.P.
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3259
catalog number
60.3259
Color print of a whaling scene; four rigged whaling vessels wait while men in smaller vessels engage in a variety of activities. Captions below the image identify the activities.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a whaling scene; four rigged whaling vessels wait while men in smaller vessels engage in a variety of activities. Captions below the image identify the activities.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870
maker
Bufford, John Henry
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3251
catalog number
60.3251
Black and white print; bust portrait of a man (James Fenimore Cooper).Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print; bust portrait of a man (James Fenimore Cooper).
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
depicted
Cooper, James Fenimore
publisher
Peabody & Co.
Childs & Inman
maker
Pendleton's Lithography
ID Number
DL.60.3130
catalog number
60.3130
accession number
228146
Black and white print of whaling ships; seventeen whaling vessels are on the edge of an ice field. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of whaling ships; seventeen whaling vessels are on the edge of an ice field. All the ships names are listed below the image and above the title.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1872
maker
Bufford, John Henry
Newell, J.P.
original artist
Russell, Benjamin
ID Number
DL.60.3258
catalog number
60.3258
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pe
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pearl (ducal) coronet with textured ground. "Mason" and "10" scratched on underside of boss. No touchmarks. Diamond or lozenge linen mark with sink hole from tinker's dam used to burn handle on to bowl. Turning marks across entire bottom underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th or early 19th century
1770 - 1780
ID Number
DL.388320
catalog number
388320
accession number
182022
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/.
Description
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/. 1813.", and on the other "PRESENTED / by the Citizens of / BOSTON." Double-domed and flared rectangular cover is joined at middle by a die-rolled band of eight-petaled flowers and topped by a rectangular finial. Die-rolled band of roses at rim above stepped-ogee top portion of the bulbous lower body. Gadrooning at middle of finial and edge of base. Right-angled, tapered strap handles with grapevine decoration. Underside of rounded bottom struck "Ch[u]rc[hill] & / T[r]eadwell" in raised roman letters in a rectangle above centerpoint; "8"10" scratched upside-down above maker's mark. Cover slightly wobbly. Few dents in body. One foot reattached. Part of tea and coffee service, 1985.0121.01-.07.
Maker is Jesse Churchill (1773-1819) and Daniel Treadwell (1791-1872) of Boston, MA; dates in partnership given as 1805-1813.and 1809-1819.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1814
ID Number
1985.0121.05
catalog number
1985.0121.05
accession number
1985.0121
Bowl-shaped porringer with bulging sides, a narrower, slightly angled rim, and boss bottom with flat gutter; cast handle is pierced in a keyhole pattern with 13 voids and engraved on front "O / T L" in shaded serif letters facing out.
Description
Bowl-shaped porringer with bulging sides, a narrower, slightly angled rim, and boss bottom with flat gutter; cast handle is pierced in a keyhole pattern with 13 voids and engraved on front "O / T L" in shaded serif letters facing out. Struck once on bottom inside "IE" with crown above and crude fleur-de-lis below, all in a shield. Centerpoint on bottom underside. Old red-bordered paper museum label on bottom underside. No weight engraved.
Maker is John Edwards (1671-1746) of Boston, MA; father of Samuel and Thomas Edwards and grandfather of Joseph Edwards, Jr., all silversmiths.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1725
ca 1700
maker
Edwards, John
ID Number
DL.383508
catalog number
383508
accession number
162866
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck once with the tombstone-shaped, eagle touch mark of Thomas Badger, above "[B]OSTON" in raised serif letters in a rectangle with scrolls below.
Description
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck once with the tombstone-shaped, eagle touch mark of Thomas Badger, above "[B]OSTON" in raised serif letters in a rectangle with scrolls below. Remnants of torn masking tape on underside. Entire plate (including marks) crisp and clean, turning rings visible. One of three plates, DL*388308A-C.
Maker is Thomas Badger (1764-1826) of Boston, MA; working 1787-1815.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800-1815
1787-1815
ID Number
DL.388308C
catalog number
388308C
accession number
182022
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped teapot on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/.
Description
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped teapot on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/. 1813.", and on the other "PRESENTED / by the Citizens of / BOSTON." Domed and flared rectangular hinged lid is topped by a cast rectangular finial; matching upper body connects to the stepped-ogee top portion of the bulbous lower body by a die-rolled band of roses. Gadrooning at middle of finial, edge of base, and tops of both rectangular handle sockets; die-rolled band of eight-petaled flowers at rectangular rim. C-curve handle carved with volute for top and band of pointed leaves at base. Flat-sided S-curve spout with oval shell on its square lip. Underside of rounded bottom scratched "27,,12" at spout end; centerpoint visible. No other marks. Few dents in body. Part of tea and coffee service, 1985.0121.01-.07.
Maker is Jesse Churchill (1773-1819) and Daniel Treadwell (1791-1872) of Boston, MA; dates in partnership given as 1805-1813 and 1809-1819.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1814
ID Number
1985.0121.01
catalog number
1985.0121.01
accession number
1985.0121
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1830
ID Number
DL.60.1118
catalog number
60.1118
accession number
70138
Side-loading electric toaster (A) with power cord (B). Rectangular body, with doors of sheet metal (nickel-plated steel) on either side, attached porcelain knob handle on the top of each door.
Description
Side-loading electric toaster (A) with power cord (B). Rectangular body, with doors of sheet metal (nickel-plated steel) on either side, attached porcelain knob handle on the top of each door. Door pulls open and closes to hold toast in place, against metal wires which are heated by two interior white ceramic heating elements. Handle at top, two straps of metal with turned wooden grip in center, black. Base is cast iron, painted black. Power cord attaches on side. Bottom of base is stamped: "SIMPLEX SHCo. QUALITY/211 V 110 4.5/S 377673".
Power cord (B) is black, white, and gray fabric, molded bakelite, metal coil near plug. Plug is debossed: "RODALE/5A.250V.10A.125V."
Model T-211.
Patent US 951765 A, March 8, 1910, James I. Ayer, assignor to Simplex Electric Heating Company, Boston, Massachusetts, for "Electric toaster"
Maker is Simplex Electric Heating Company, Boston, Massachusetts (circa 1895-1917, when Edison Electric Appliance Company purchased it. The name was carried on for a short period of time after the purchase).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1909-1917
maker
Simplex Electric Company
ID Number
1990.0176.01
catalog number
1990.0176.01
accession number
1990.0176
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
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped creamer on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/.
Description
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped creamer on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/. 1813.", and on the other "PRESENTED / by the Citizens of / BOSTON." Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and connects to the stepped-ogee top portion of the bulbous lower body by a die-rolled band of roses. Gadrooning at rim and edge of base. Right-angled, tapered strap handle with grapevine decoration. Underside of rounded bottom struck "C[h]ur[c]hill & / Treadwell" in raised roman letters in a rectangle above centerpoint; "7"7(?)lt" scratched below. Few dents in body. Part of tea and coffee service, 1985.0121.01-.07.
Maker is Jesse Churchill (1773-1819) and Daniel Treadwell (1791-1872) of Boston, MA; dates in partnership given as 1805-1813.and 1809-1819.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1814
ID Number
1985.0121.04
catalog number
1985.0121.04
accession number
1985.0121
Rectangular U-shape creamer with convex band around its upper body on a conforming footring with four ball feet; gold washed interior. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has die-rolled gadrooning applied on exterior.
Description
Rectangular U-shape creamer with convex band around its upper body on a conforming footring with four ball feet; gold washed interior. Deep cyma-curved rim with wide pouring lip has die-rolled gadrooning applied on exterior. Right-angled C-curve tapered strap handle attaches at middle of neck and top of footring. Struck once on neck outside at center of one side "HOMES." in italic roman letters in a rectangle. No centerpunch. No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1810 - 1815
ID Number
DL.383524
catalog number
383524
accession number
162866
Ball-and-spear or "steeple-top" andiron with cylindrical pedestal and base on spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; brass strip on top of billet bar extends to matching log-stop. Two-part upright, both parts hollow cast and vertically seamed.
Description
Ball-and-spear or "steeple-top" andiron with cylindrical pedestal and base on spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; brass strip on top of billet bar extends to matching log-stop. Two-part upright, both parts hollow cast and vertically seamed. Hollow-cast legs are unfinished on back. All parts held together by an internal iron rod threaded at top and peened at bottom. Brass strip stamped behind log-stop "B. EDMANDS / CHARLESTOWN" in incuse serif letters. One of a pair, 1979.0262.01-.02.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1799 - 1811
ID Number
1979.0262.02
catalog number
1979.0262.02
accession number
1979.0262
Gentleman's dress or small sword with silver hilt, tapered triangular blade, and stitched leather scabbard.
Description
Gentleman's dress or small sword with silver hilt, tapered triangular blade, and stitched leather scabbard. Typical hilt with pear-shaped pommel, silver twisted-wire wrapped grip, and plain counterguard, currently upside down, engraved "Sam\ll Lord" in script on the hilt side of one shell and struck once "HURD" in raised serif letters in a rectangle on the blade side of the other shell.
Attributed to Jacob Hurd (1702/3-1758) of Boston, MA; he was a prolific silversmith and numerous examples of his work survive. Two of his sons Nathaniel (1730-1778) and Benjamin (1739-1781), were also silversmiths.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1745
ID Number
DL.383531
catalog number
383531
accession number
162866
One of three full-size patent models (U.S. Patent No. 13,859) of hot-water-heated foot warmers, varying only in form, made by Nathaniel Waterman of Boston, MA, and patented on November 27, 1855.
Description
One of three full-size patent models (U.S. Patent No. 13,859) of hot-water-heated foot warmers, varying only in form, made by Nathaniel Waterman of Boston, MA, and patented on November 27, 1855. Consists of a square, orange-red damask-upholstered foot rest with a hinged, flat top that contains a removable, square container or reservoir with two oval wire handles and a cork stopper. Interior of top is fitted with a metal plate to conduct heat to the feet. Small hook latch at front center. Darkened, handwritten identification label nailed to front. No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1855-11-27
maker
Waterman, Nathaniel
ID Number
DL.251428B
catalog number
251428B
patent number
13,859
accession number
48890
Banded-ball-and-multiknopped andiron with baluster pedestal on compressed-ball base atop lapped and spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; curved billet bar has a cast brass cover with matching finial and baluster leg at corner and a small ball log stop.
Description
Banded-ball-and-multiknopped andiron with baluster pedestal on compressed-ball base atop lapped and spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; curved billet bar has a cast brass cover with matching finial and baluster leg at corner and a small ball log stop. Two-part upright and finial, all parts hollow cast and vertically seamed. Hollow-cast legs are unfinished on back. All parts of upright held together by an internal iron rod threaded at top and peened at bottom. Billet bar cover stamped around log-stop "HUNNEMAN" arched above "BOSTON" in incuse serif letters. One of a pair, 1978.0939.252-.253.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1797 - 1825
ID Number
1978.0939.253
catalog number
1978.0939.253
accession number
1978.0939
Banded-ball-and-multiknopped andiron with small ball finial and pulvinated hexagonal pedestal on compressed-ball base atop lapped and spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; cast brass billet bar cover ends in scallops behind the matching log-stop.
Description
Banded-ball-and-multiknopped andiron with small ball finial and pulvinated hexagonal pedestal on compressed-ball base atop lapped and spurred cabriole legs ending in creased snake feet on platforms; cast brass billet bar cover ends in scallops behind the matching log-stop. Two-part upright, both parts hollow cast and vertically seamed. Hollow-cast legs are unfinished on back. All parts held together by an internal iron rod threaded at top and peened at bottom. Billet bar cover stamped behind log-stop "JOHN MOLINEUX" in incuse serif letters. One of a pair, 1978.0939.256-.257.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1806 - 1829
ID Number
1978.0939.257
catalog number
1978.0939.257
accession number
1978.0939

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