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.

Plain, cylindrical container with raised bead below collar and a flat, friction-fit cover. Cover and container have vertical soft-soldered lapped seams, while cover top and flat bottom are folded over sides. No marks. Traces of blue japanning on exterior.Currently not on view
Description
Plain, cylindrical container with raised bead below collar and a flat, friction-fit cover. Cover and container have vertical soft-soldered lapped seams, while cover top and flat bottom are folded over sides. No marks. Traces of blue japanning on exterior.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850 - 1875
ID Number
DL.251349.0009
catalog number
251349.0009
accession number
251349
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 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
Color print of a large panoramic view of Philadelphia. The New Jersey shore is in the foreground. A key identifies aspects of the view. Three small vignettes, below the main image above the title, are of the State House, Old Courthouse and Friends Meeting House, and the prison.
Description (Brief)
Color print of a large panoramic view of Philadelphia. The New Jersey shore is in the foreground. A key identifies aspects of the view. Three small vignettes, below the main image above the title, are of the State House, Old Courthouse and Friends Meeting House, and the prison.
Date made
1875
maker
Wade, F. J.
ID Number
DL.60.3752
catalog number
60.3752
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
date made
about 1879
ID Number
CE.75.125J
catalog number
75.125J
accession number
317832
Chain of 14 links with dagger at one end and arrow at the other. Handwritten tag accompanying piece reads "Chain made by / J. W. Van Kirk. 1876. / Cut from solid wood with / a pocket knife."Currently not on view
Description
Chain of 14 links with dagger at one end and arrow at the other. Handwritten tag accompanying piece reads "Chain made by / J. W. Van Kirk. 1876. / Cut from solid wood with / a pocket knife."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876
ID Number
DL.034067.0001
catalog number
034067.0001
accession number
34067
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a wide white band overpainted with alternating pairs of right-facing, red and green leaves; one green and two yellow thin lines are below. Two yellow brushstrokes on each box side and swirling yellow brushstrokes around handle; no penciling. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
A large number of small decorated boxes similar to this example were produced in the nineteenth century; many survive in good condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1875
ID Number
DL.245425.0083
catalog number
245425.0083
accession number
245425
Shallow oval dish with inset, flat-top domed cover topped by a cast looped-branch handle; no foot ring. Two bands of gadrooning on top of cover, one on underside of its flat rim, and one at rim of dish. Removable handle with bowtie-shaped twist lock.
Description
Shallow oval dish with inset, flat-top domed cover topped by a cast looped-branch handle; no foot ring. Two bands of gadrooning on top of cover, one on underside of its flat rim, and one at rim of dish. Removable handle with bowtie-shaped twist lock. Top inside rim of dish, top of rim on cover, and underside of handle are all stamped "3". Dish struck on exterior at one end below rim with six marks, "1864" above a combined maker's mark of "JR" in raised gothic or Old English letters in an oval, "&" in a clipped-corner square, and a raised gothic or Old English "S" in clipped-corner square; a crown in pointed-top shield; "EP" in raised roman letters in an oval set sideways; "ALL THE / ROUND" in a life belt; and a raised roman letter "A" in circle. One of two dishes, DL*66.0559A-B.
Maker is John Round & Son, Ltd. of Sheffield, England; 1847-1932. Started by John Round who was joined by his son Edwin; firm incorporated as John Round & Son, Ltd. in 1874 and combined with Ridge, Allcard & Co in 1886, keeping the Round name. Their main factory was at Tudor Works, Tudor Street, but they also operated the nearby Arundel Plate Works (wares made there possibly stamped with the "A" mark).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
ID Number
DL.66.0559B
catalog number
66.0559B
accession number
265238
Angular-body, circular sugar bowl on four short splayed feet with a scrolled wire bail handle adorned with a cast sprig of lily-of-the-valley.
Description
Angular-body, circular sugar bowl on four short splayed feet with a scrolled wire bail handle adorned with a cast sprig of lily-of-the-valley. Body consists of inverted conical upper and lower halves joined by a milled midband; upper half is encircled by bright-cut festoons and engraved "J.H. / = TO = / E." on one side. Cupped rim. Rim inside and upper half have satin or matte finish; gold washed interior. Underside of flat bottom stamped incuse "W & H" above "STERLING" (curved), both in serif letters. From cream and sugar set, DL.60.0998A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
owner; user
Bellamy, Ellen Washington
ID Number
DL.60.0998B
catalog number
60.0998B
accession number
71656
Shallow oval dish with inset, flat-top domed cover topped by a cast looped-branch handle; no foot ring. Two bands of gadrooning on top of cover, one on underside of its flat rim, and one at rim of dish. Removable handle with bowtie-shaped twist lock.
Description
Shallow oval dish with inset, flat-top domed cover topped by a cast looped-branch handle; no foot ring. Two bands of gadrooning on top of cover, one on underside of its flat rim, and one at rim of dish. Removable handle with bowtie-shaped twist lock. Top inside rim of dish, top of rim on cover, and underside of handle are all stamped "1". Dish struck on exterior at one end below rim with six marks, "1864" above a combined maker's mark of "JR" in raised gothic or Old English letters in an oval, "&" in a clipped-corner square, and a raised gothic or Old English "S" in clipped-corner square; a crown in pointed-top shield; "EP" in raised roman letters in an oval set sideways; "ALL THE / ROUND" in a life belt; and a raised roman letter "A" in circle. One of two dishes, DL*66.0559A-B.
Maker is John Round & Son, Ltd. of Sheffield, England; 1847-1932. Started by John Round who was joined by his son Edwin; firm incorporated as John Round & Son, Ltd. in 1874 and combined with Ridge, Allcard & Co in 1886, keeping the Round name. Their main factory was at Tudor Works, Tudor Street, but they also operated the nearby Arundel Plate Works (wares made there possibly stamped with the "A" mark).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1875
ID Number
DL.66.0559A
catalog number
66.0559A
accession number
265238
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
c. 1860
previous owner
Pell, Alfred Duane
ID Number
DL.60.0352
catalog number
60.0352
accession number
225282
Gold washed, ovoid bowl with two, hollow, angular handles with ball thumbrests on four, double-banded, splayed legs ending in pad feet. Four repousse chased panels filled with a myriad of flowers and foliage cover body.
Description
Gold washed, ovoid bowl with two, hollow, angular handles with ball thumbrests on four, double-banded, splayed legs ending in pad feet. Four repousse chased panels filled with a myriad of flowers and foliage cover body. Handles have banded, tapered ends with a faceted upper socket and bracketed lower socket with rosette. Flared rim with cupped inside edge. Bottom underside struck incuse "MF'D & PLATED BY / REED & BARTON", "2795", and "DESIGN / PAT.JULY.25.1876." with "2" incised to left. From a six-piece coffee and tea service, 1978.0922.01-.06.
Maker is Reed & Barton, Taunton, MA; 1840-present. William C. Beattie of Taunton, MA, assignor to Reed & Barton, received US Design No. 9,405 for this pattern on July 25, 1876.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876 or later
design patent date
1876-07-25
ID Number
1978.0922.06
catalog number
1978.0922.06
accession number
1978.0922
Very small, lidless, bulbous or bellied spirit measure with a cupped rim with single bead lip and cast circular flared foot.; 1/20 pint. Two pairs of faint incised lines at shoulder.
Description
Very small, lidless, bulbous or bellied spirit measure with a cupped rim with single bead lip and cast circular flared foot.; 1/20 pint. Two pairs of faint incised lines at shoulder. Tapered, S-scroll handle with spurred thumbrest and lower short terminal with diamond- or lozenge-shaped attachment at seam. Rim exterior stamped incuse to left of handle "2 0". Bottom interior with diamond, Y-in-triangle and X maker's mark.
Gaskell & Chambers was established circa 1892 in Birmingham, England; manufacturer of metal bar and drink dispensing equipment (pewter, copper, etc.). They likely made these measures using molds originally owned by James Yates (working under his own name, 1860-1891). Although Gaskell & Chambers did not intend to deceive, their measures have been sold as or faked to be by Yates.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-1870
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.67.0143
catalog number
67.0143
accession number
250853
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1876
patent date
1876-07-18
ID Number
DL.259580.0001.02
accession number
259580
catalog number
259580.0001.02
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1876-04-11
inventor
Atherton, William F.
ID Number
DL.251422
catalog number
251422
patent number
175,900
accession number
48890
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
about 1879
ID Number
CE.75.125A
catalog number
75.125A
accession number
317832
Smooth, unornamented, convex, rounded rectangular case with spring-loaded, hinged lid featuring a polychrome enamel of a fashionable, wasp-waisted woman in blue and white walking outfit resting a parasol behind her shoulders inset within an engraved rocky seacoast.
Description
Smooth, unornamented, convex, rounded rectangular case with spring-loaded, hinged lid featuring a polychrome enamel of a fashionable, wasp-waisted woman in blue and white walking outfit resting a parasol behind her shoulders inset within an engraved rocky seacoast. Push-tab catch. Gold washed interior has two white elastic band retainers. Inside back is struck with a right-facing dog head between "3" and "A" in a coffin-shaped surround, a raised roman "A" in clipped-corner rectangle, and "G.A.S." in raised roman letters in a rounded rectangle.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866 - 1872
ca 1885
ID Number
DL.60.2005
catalog number
60.2005
accession number
200122
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a right-leaning sprig of three, red, scalloped flowers, all overpainted with blended or fingered-off, blue-to-white crab centers topped with alizarin; white-veined, green, smooth- and serrated-edge leaves and green, yellow, and translucent white leaflets. Lid top and box sides each have a four-arm, red-and-yellow pinwheel. Thin yellow and thick red bands border lid top; another thin yellow line is on lid front and sides. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled rim. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. No marks on box, but slip of paper stored inside is inscribed with possible provenance: "Rebecca M. Lounsberry, 1860 / Deborah A. Ham 1858 / William Ham 1870 / Katie J. Bornt 1885".
Attributed to the New York Filley Tinshop, started by Augustus Filley (1789-1945), in Lansingburgh, NY, circa 1814-1870.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1814 - 1870
ID Number
1978.0119.11
accession number
1978.0119
catalog number
1978.0119.11

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