Domestic Furnishings

Tiffany Floor Lamp

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.

Place: Ohio

Majolica plaque

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1884 - 1891
ID Number
1991.0206.01.B
catalog number
1991.0206.01B
accession number
1991.0206

Punch bowl

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0257.3
accession number
1979.0257
catalog number
1979.0257.03

Rookwood vase

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.
This small Rookwood vase showcases the company’s “Mahogany Standard Glaze.” Although it had been producing objects with the distinctive gradient coloration since 1885, Rookwood only began referring to the glaze as their “Standard Glaze” in 1900. This process was comparatively expensive; it was technically challenging to achieve and many of the pieces taken out of the kiln were defective. In the “Mahogany” version, the decorator airbrushed the slip yellow-tinted background onto a red clay body. Unlike traditional glaze decoration, which is actually a kind of glass, slip decoration is made from colored clay and adheres tightly to the clay surface onto which it is applied.
Like many of its counterparts, this vase features a floral motif. The trumpet flower on this vase was a popular flower in Victorian gardens and would have been easily recognized by its intended consumers: the rapidly growing American middle class.
This small Rookwood vase showcases the company’s “Mahogany Standard Glaze.” Although it had been producing objects with the distinctive gradient coloration since 1885, Rookwood only began referring to the glaze as their “Standard Glaze” in 1900. This process was comparatively expensive; it was technically challenging to achieve and many of the pieces taken out of the kiln were defective. In the “Mahogany” version, the decorator airbrushed the slip yellow-tinted background onto a red clay body. Unlike traditional glaze decoration, which is actually a kind of glass, slip decoration is made from colored clay and adheres tightly to the clay surface onto which it is applied.
Like many of its counterparts, this vase features a floral motif. The trumpet flower on this vase was a popular flower in Victorian gardens and would have been easily recognized by its intended consumers: the rapidly growing American middle class.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885
maker
Rookwood Pottery
ID Number
CE.393577
catalog number
393577
accession number
208838

Plunger Style Mixer

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

Tray

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1987
maker
Hall
ID Number
1989.0033.002C
accession number
1989.0033
catalog number
1989.0033.002C

bowl

The United States Pottery Company produced semi-porcelain toilet and dinner wares from 1898 and 1932. This white earthenware or ironstone bowl is decorated with transfer printed floral bouquets would have been part of a dinner set.Currently not on view
Description
The United States Pottery Company produced semi-porcelain toilet and dinner wares from 1898 and 1932. This white earthenware or ironstone bowl is decorated with transfer printed floral bouquets would have been part of a dinner set.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1902-1910
maker
United States Pottery Company
ID Number
CE.76.4
catalog number
76.4
accession number
319072

Washington As a Freemason by Strobridge and Company, 1870

Chromolithographic print depicting George Washington, standing, facing left as the central figure, wearing a Masonic apron and holding a trowel in his right hand and a mallet and parchment in his left.
Description
Chromolithographic print depicting George Washington, standing, facing left as the central figure, wearing a Masonic apron and holding a trowel in his right hand and a mallet and parchment in his left. He is standing in under a Gothic arch flanked by columns with capitals of different orders and quatrefoil windows with a staircase is in the background. Bust portraits of the Marquis de Lafayette and Andrew Jackson appear in upper left and right corners, respectively. Bordering the central image are Gothic niches containing biblical scenes, allegorical figures, numerous inscriptions, and Masonic symbols and rites. Washington's coffin appears below the central image and is surrounded by a commemorative poem.
Lithography company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio about 1847 by lithographer Elijah C. Middleton. Middleton was known as one of the pioneers of chromolithography in the United States. By 1854 lithographer W. R. Wallace and bookseller Hines Strobridge (1823-1909) had joined the firm as partners. After the Civil War Strobridge acquired sole ownership of the company and renamed it after himself. Strobridge and Company was especially well known for circus, theater and movie posters. After leaving Strobridge and Company, Elijah Middleton became known as a portrait publisher, producing prints of George and Martha Washington, Daniel Webster and other American historical figures.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1870
depicted
Washington, George
publisher
J. Hale Powers & Company
depicted
Jackson, Andrew
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
maker
Strobridge and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2597
catalog number
60.2597
accession number
228146

Foot Warmer for Vehicles Patent Model

Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 185,290) of a foot warmer or stove for vehicles, made by Harold P. Buckland of Stony Ridge, Wood County, OH, and patented on December 12, 1876; painted green.
Description
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 185,290) of a foot warmer or stove for vehicles, made by Harold P. Buckland of Stony Ridge, Wood County, OH, and patented on December 12, 1876; painted green. Watertight, hollow body has a recess for placing one's feet and is fitted with an interior triangular chamber, accessed by the hinged doors on both sides, for holding one or more lamps to heat the water. Top has a screw-cap opening for the water and a hole for the smoke escape. Horizontal flanges at sides of top and bottom allow attaching it to the frame of a buggy, sleigh, or wagon. Top back edge has printed letters cut and pasted into the patentee's name "HENRY PETER BUCKLAND".
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1876-12-12
inventor
Buckland, Henry P.
ID Number
DL.251767
catalog number
251767
patent number
185,290
accession number
48890

Rotary Food Mixer

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

Brooklyn Bridge Plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
unknown
c.1903-1929
ID Number
CE.379415
catalog number
379415
accession number
150313

Chamber Pot

At the beginning of the century the company, Knowles, Tayor & Knowles began making semi-vitreous wares for hotels. This is a simple white chamber pot that would have been used by a hotel.Currently not on view
Description
At the beginning of the century the company, Knowles, Tayor & Knowles began making semi-vitreous wares for hotels. This is a simple white chamber pot that would have been used by a hotel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c.1900
ID Number
CE.75.85
catalog number
75.85

cup

This is a large commemerative cup with transfer printed images of the "Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building," possibly from the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition celebrating American acheivements in pottery.Currently not on view
Description
This is a large commemerative cup with transfer printed images of the "Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building," possibly from the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition celebrating American acheivements in pottery.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c.1882-1925
ID Number
CE.379761
catalog number
379761
accession number
150313

L. Hesse; Figured and Fancy coverlet; tied-Beiderwand; 1840; Ohio

L. Hesse wove this Figured and Fancy, red, white and green, tied-Beiderwand coverlet in 1840.
Description
L. Hesse wove this Figured and Fancy, red, white and green, tied-Beiderwand coverlet in 1840. There is no location or customer indicated in the cornerblock, but we know from other extant coverlets that Hesse and his brothers, both named Frederick were active in Somerset Township, Perry County and Hocking Counties in Ohio. The centerfield pattern features the common “Double Rose and Starburst” motif which is accented by smaller geometric crosses and fylfots (swastikas). There is a double border featuring addorsed “Eagles and Fruit Tree” and eight-pointed stars along the sides and bottom of the coverlet. There is self-fringe along the sides. The coverlet was woven on a hand loom with a patterning device attachment (either barrel loom or Jacquard mechanism) made in two pieces seamed together up the center. The Hesse brothers were active in Somerset, Hocking, and Perry Counties, Ohio. Frederick A. (b. 1801), Frederick E. (b. 1827), and L. Hesse (b. 1809) were Saxon immigrants from what was then the Kingdom of Prussia. They settled in Ohio, each opening their own weaving business. The brothers have extant coverlets dating from the years, 1838-1862 collectively. This coverlet belonged to the great-grandmother of the donor. Although we do not know her name, the accession file tells us she was born around 1830 and from Ohio, helping to further situate this coverlet in the proper context.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840
weaver
Hesse, L.
ID Number
TE.T14540
catalog number
T14540.000
accession number
277122

Plunger Style Mixer

Plunger style egg beater (eggbeater) or food mixer. Mixing component comprised of two circular metal plates, curved, with small circular holes throughout, attached to coiled metal spring, graduated in size. Metal shaft, turned knob handle at top, laquered black.
Description
Plunger style egg beater (eggbeater) or food mixer. Mixing component comprised of two circular metal plates, curved, with small circular holes throughout, attached to coiled metal spring, graduated in size. Metal shaft, turned knob handle at top, laquered black. Circular, tin-coated steel cover has a folded edge and flange that sits into top edge of accompanying container, flint glass, uncolored, translucent, cylindrical, with chamfered edges, straight sides. Bottom of container is embossed: "THE LIGHTNING DASHER/EGG BEATER CO./TOLEDO O/PAT MARCH 27, 1888.". One side, bottom, of container is embossed: "POWa Br &C". Sides of container are embossed with measurements for pound, pint, quart, and cups, specific to "Liquid", "Sugar", and "Flour".
Patent US 380226 A, March 27, 1888, Theron Spencer Steward and Anna Maria Elizabeth Steward of Toledo, Ohio, for "Churn-dasher".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1888-1915
ID Number
DL.322793.23
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
423
catalog number
322793.23

shaker

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
C, 1933-37
maker
Federal Glass Company
ID Number
CE.78.15Bab
accession number
1978.0481
catalog number
78.15Bab

Coffee Mill

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1900
patent date for assist handle design
1888-05-15
ID Number
DL.314637.02392
catalog number
314637.02392
accession number
314637

Bottle Opener

Bottle or cap opener, stainless steel, with three different lifting edges, each marked: "TUMBLER CAP LIFTER", "PRY-OFF Lid Flipper", and another marked with an arrow and "INSERT/UNDER CAP/TURN LIKE KEY". Maker's mark on top left: "EKCO/A&J/U.S.A.". Also marked: PAT.
Description
Bottle or cap opener, stainless steel, with three different lifting edges, each marked: "TUMBLER CAP LIFTER", "PRY-OFF Lid Flipper", and another marked with an arrow and "INSERT/UNDER CAP/TURN LIKE KEY". Maker's mark on top left: "EKCO/A&J/U.S.A.". Also marked: PAT. 2,571,401".
U.S. Patent 2,571,401: Raymond H. Williams, October 16, 1951, Chicago, Illinois, assignor to White Cap Company, Chicago, Illinois.
Maker is Ekco Housewares Company, of Chicago, Illinois, which purchased A&J Manufacturing Company of Birmingham, New York in 1929. A&J was at the time the largest producer of kitchen tools.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1951-1965
maker
Ekco Housewares Company
ID Number
DL.322793.61
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
630
catalog number
322793.61

Whisk

Wire whisk or beater. Heavy metal wire mixing end; long fan shape, with thinner wires running vertically. Turned wooden handle, painted green with three yellow stripes. No mark.Currently not on view
Description
Wire whisk or beater. Heavy metal wire mixing end; long fan shape, with thinner wires running vertically. Turned wooden handle, painted green with three yellow stripes. No mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
ID Number
DL.322793.52
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
454
catalog number
322793.52

Sour Cream Skimmer

Skimmer, spoon-shaped, with short, vertical handle, hand-formed. Curved handle for easy grip, with oval opening at end for hanging. Shallow, circular bowl, solid with small, circular punctures to form diamond pattern in center. No mark.Currently not on view
Description
Skimmer, spoon-shaped, with short, vertical handle, hand-formed. Curved handle for easy grip, with oval opening at end for hanging. Shallow, circular bowl, solid with small, circular punctures to form diamond pattern in center. No mark.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870-1890
ID Number
DL.322793.66
catalog number
76-FT-01.1268
accession number
322793
collector/donor number
094

Churn Style Food Mixer

Churn style cream whip, egg beater, or food mixer. Metal housing, rectangular body with rounded bottom, sheet metal. Four curved, bent metal legs. Sheet metal lid, rectangular, embossed with a incurved rectangle and has a folded edge and flange that sits into top of body.
Description
Churn style cream whip, egg beater, or food mixer. Metal housing, rectangular body with rounded bottom, sheet metal. Four curved, bent metal legs. Sheet metal lid, rectangular, embossed with a incurved rectangle and has a folded edge and flange that sits into top of body. The arched, split-center handle on the cover and arched, angled handles on the sides below rim are cast and riveted in place. Exterior metal arm with turned wooden handle (laquered black), rotates interior mixing component, comprised of single horizontal steel rod, with four arms on each side, with thin wires stretched across lengthwise. Side opposite crank is embossed "FRIES" in sans serif letters inside an oval.
An advertisement for this mixer is discussed in Don Thornton, Beat This: The Eggbeater Chronicles, The Stirring Story of America's Greatest Invention, p. 149, the ad was published in an early catalog of Thos. Mills & Bros. Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and read: "Egg Beater, Batter Mixer and Cream Whip", with an illustration of the mixer, as well as the available sizes ( No. 1-4; 3, 6, 9, 18 pints), and cost $1.85, $2.25, $2.50, or $5.00, depending on the size.
Maker is George Fries' Sons of Philadelphia, PA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1885-1915
ID Number
DL.322793.14
accession number
322793
catalog number
76-FT-01.1047
collector/donor number
414

Cake plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1900
ID Number
CE.208191
catalog number
208191
accession number
34492

Westinghouse TURNOVER TOASTER

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
1992.0338.10
catalog number
1992.0338.10
accession number
1992.0338

Spider Pot

Skillet or spider on three semicircular legs with a slightly flared lip and an integral, tapered, cylindrical handle; nearly vertical sides and rounded bottom. Hollow cast with single gate mark on bottom exterior. No additional marks.
Description
Skillet or spider on three semicircular legs with a slightly flared lip and an integral, tapered, cylindrical handle; nearly vertical sides and rounded bottom. Hollow cast with single gate mark on bottom exterior. No additional marks. Old paper label is affixed to inside bottom and inscribed in script: "Presented by / Miss Mary Harter, Bloomfield, N.J. / in memory of her sister / Mrs. Sarah Harter Starr / Shipped by O. G. Schaefer, Verona, N.J."
Location
Currently not on view
date purchased
1818
ID Number
DL.379163
catalog number
379163
accession number
147603

Glass Tumbler

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

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