Domestic Furnishings - Overview
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.
"Domestic Furnishings - Overview" showing 65 items.
Page 1 of 7
Bassler Coverlet
- Description
- The name "J Bassler", the date 1842, and the letters " W B " are woven into the lower edge of this coverlet. It is not known if "J Bassler " or "W B" was the weaver of the coverlet. The coverlet is Jacquard woven, with red, blue and green stripes. The design features rows of birds and flowers.This coverlet could be considered part of the "Fancy" period in American decorative arts, as the overall design is bright and full of movement.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1842
- maker or owner
- Bassler, J.
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- 1998.0081.03
- accession number
- 1998.0081
- catalog number
- 1998.0081.03
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
St. Louis Sulphide Paperweight
- Description (Brief)
- In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter. By the mid-1800s, decorative paperweights produced by glassmakers in Europe and the United States became highly desired collectibles.
- Decorative glass paperweights reflected the 19th-century taste for intricate, over-the-top designs. Until the spread of textiles colorized with synthetic dyes, ceramics and glass were among the few objects that added brilliant color to a 19th-century Victorian interior. The popularity of these paperweights in the 1800s testifies to the sustained cultural interest in hand craftsmanship during an age of rapid industrialization.
- Glass production at Saint Louis was authorized by Louis XV in 1767. By 1782 the firm was creating high quality glass crystal, progressing into pressed glass in the 1800s. St. Louis produced paperweights from 1845 to about 1867.
- This St. Louis paperweight is known as a “sulphide,” meaning it contains a porcelain cameo—in this case an American eagle. The eagle is surrounded by concentric millefiori, in which colored glass canes are placed in rings around a center cane, including one date cane marked “1847.” Millefiore paperweights, first manufactured in Venice, consist of sections from rods of colored glass encased in a clear, colorless sphere. By the mid-nineteenth century, glass factories elsewhere in Europe were emulating the millefiore style.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1847
- maker
- St. Louis
- ID Number
- CE*65.480
- catalog number
- 65.480
- accession number
- 264964
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Baccarat Paperweight
- Description (Brief)
- In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter. By the mid-1800s, decorative paperweights produced by glassmakers in Europe and the United States became highly desired collectibles.
- Decorative glass paperweights reflected the 19th-century taste for intricate, over-the-top designs. Until the spread of textiles colorized with synthetic dyes, ceramics and glass were among the few objects that added brilliant color to a 19th-century Victorian interior. The popularity of these paperweights in the 1800s testifies to the sustained cultural interest in hand craftsmanship during an age of rapid industrialization.
- The French firm, Baccarat, was originally founded as the Verrerie Renaut in 1764, by request of the Bishop of Metz to the King of France, Louis XV. After the French Revolution, the company was re-named Verrerie de Baccarat. Peak production of Baccarat paperweights was between 1846 and1855.
- Millefiori, “Gridel” silhouette canes (said to be named after a young boy whose cut paper silhouettes inspired Baccarat’s glass workers), and an “1848” date cane are found in this Baccarat paperweight. Millefiore paperweights, first manufactured in Venice, consist of sections from rods of colored glass encased in a clear, colorless sphere. By the mid-nineteenth century, glass factories elsewhere in Europe were emulating the millefiore style.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1848
- maker
- Baccarat
- ID Number
- CE*67.231
- catalog number
- 67.231
- accession number
- 213138
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
St. Louis Paperweight
- Description (Brief)
- In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter. By the mid-1800s, decorative paperweights produced by glassmakers in Europe and the United States became highly desired collectibles.
- Decorative glass paperweights reflected the 19th-century taste for intricate, over-the-top designs. Until the spread of textiles colorized with synthetic dyes, ceramics and glass were among the few objects that added brilliant color to a 19th-century Victorian interior. The popularity of these paperweights in the 1800s testifies to the sustained cultural interest in hand craftsmanship during an age of rapid industrialization.
- The French firm, Verrerie de Clichy, began operation after merging with another local glassworks in 1837. The height of paperweight production at the firm was 1846 to 1857. Glass production at Saint Louis was authorized by Louis XV in 1767. By 1782 the firm was creating high quality glass crystal, progressing into pressed glass in the 1800s. St. Louis produced paperweights from 1845 to about 1867.
- Concentric millefiori surround a central camel silhouette in this St. Louis paperweight. An “SL 1848” signature and date cane can barely be made out on the left side of this image. Millefiore paperweights, first manufactured in Venice, consist of sections from rods of colored glass encased in a clear, colorless sphere. By the mid-nineteenth century, glass factories elsewhere in Europe were emulating the millefiore style.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1848
- maker
- St. Louis
- ID Number
- CE*67.238
- catalog number
- 67.238
- accession number
- 213138
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Hausman Coverlet
- Description
- Benjamin Hausman, (1795—1885) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, wove this cotton and wool Jacquard double-woven coverlet for Jane Paul in 1841. His name and hers appear in the lower corners along with the date. The coverlet is Jacquard double-woven with floral medallions and stars, as the overall pattern, and with a border of trees and flowers. It has no center seam. Several members of the Hausman family were coverlet weavers in Pennsylvania in the 19th century. Benjamin worked in Allentown, Lehigh County, from 1836 to 1845, and in York, York County, from 1847 to 1848. He appears to have moved to Philadelphia in 1852, but is listed as a coverlet weaver in the 1850 census of York, York County, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- owner of coverlet in 19th century
- Paul, Jane
- maker
- Hausman, Benjamin
- ID Number
- TE*E.393749
- accession number
- 211601
- catalog number
- E.393749
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Double-woven Star and Rose Coverlet
- Description
- A treadling error was made in one section of this double-woven coverlet (by accident, we assume) and intentionally repeated in the other section so they would match. This coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and is woven in a geometric design of squares and circles. There is a cut self fringe on the lower edge, and an uncut fringe on each side. The coverlet was woven in two pieces that were sewn together. The name of the weaver is unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1846
- ca 1846
- 1825-1850
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T010098
- catalog number
- T10098.000
- accession number
- 060464
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Birds of Paradise Coverlet 1845
- Description
- This cotton and wool,- double-woven Jacquard coverlet, made in 1845, features the “Birds of Paradise” pattern, and rows of stylized flowers in medallions. The border found on two sides of the coverlet features birds and flowers, while the one on the lower edge features geometric forms and flowers. The words, “Birds of Paradise,” are woven into the border of the two lower corner blocks. This coverlet was woven in two sections, which were later sewn together. The weaver and owner of this coverlet remain unknown. By the time this coverlet was made, the use of machine-spun cotton and wool, and power woven fabric, was well established. By the 1850s coverlets were going out of fashion, and independent weavers began taking jobs in carpet factories, or changing their occupation all together.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1845
- owner
- Hammond, Emeline Rice
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T011789
- catalog number
- T11789.000
- accession number
- 225701
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Kaufman Jacquard Coverlet
- Description
- This coverlet was woven in 1841 by John Kaufman (Coffman). It belonged to Elizabeth Fretz, great-aunt of the donor. It features stars, eagles, and trees in its border. The center design consists of flowers and sunbursts. The coverlet is cotton and wool, and was woven in two sections that were sewn together with linen thread. According to the donor, the wool in the coverlet came from sheep grown on the family farm. The wool was spun into yarn there as well. John Kaufman (1812—1863) was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It appears his weaving business was in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1841
- user
- Fretz, Elizabeth
- maker
- Kaufman, John
- ID Number
- TE*T012923
- catalog number
- T12923.000
- accession number
- 247373
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
John LaTourette Coverlet
- Description
- This cotton and wool Jacquard double-woven coverlet features floral and geometric medallions with a floral border. The flower seen in each of the lower corners, along with the date, is the trademark of John LaTourette. LaTourette was born in New Jersey in 1793. In 1816 he and his wife, Sarah Schenck, moved to Germantown, Ohio. In 1828 he moved his family to Fountain County, Indiana, where he set up shop as a weaver. He and Sarah had fourteen children, several of whom became weavers. After his death in 1849, two of the children, Sarah and Henry, continued weaving coverlets in Indiana with his trademark. However, they placed the word “Year” above the flower to distinguish their work from their father's. This coverlet was woven in two sections, which were sewn together, and has a self fringe on the lower edge.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1844
- possible maker
- LaTourette, John
- maker
- LaTourette, John
- ID Number
- TE*T014001
- catalog number
- T14001.000
- accession number
- 269209
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Double Rose Jacquard Coverlet
- Description
- This cotton and wool red, white, and green single-woven Jacquard coverlet features stars, trees, and eagles in its borders, and a double rose pattern in the center. It has a self fringe along two sides and was woven in two sections that were later sewn together. It was made in Perry Co., Ohio, by L. Hesse in 1840. Mr. Hesse, who was born in Germany about 1809, wove coverlets in Ohio from about 1838 to 1860. Nothing more, not even his first name, is known about him.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1840
- weaver
- Hesse, L.
- ID Number
- TE*T014540
- catalog number
- T14540.000
- accession number
- 277122
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center