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: Philadelphia

Snuffers

Scissor-type snuffers on three ball feet.
Description
Scissor-type snuffers on three ball feet. Opposed, broken C-scroll handles with equal-size oval finger loops are joined by a bullseye pivot; spear-point lower blade has an attached clipped-corner rectangular box engraved "DH" in flecked script on top, while upper blade has a conforming vertical tab that fits inside box. Struck once inside box "CARREL" in raised roman letters in a rectangle. Part of snuffers and tray, DL*383487-DL*383488.
date made
ca 1795
ID Number
DL.383487
catalog number
383487
accession number
162866

Basin

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1770 - 1800
ID Number
1986.0027.24
catalog number
62.0133
1986.0027.24
accession number
1986.0027

chair, side

date made
1760 - 1780
ID Number
1990.0455.03
catalog number
1990.0455.03
accession number
1990.0455
catalog number
1990.455.3

1835 - 1845 Quaker Trousseau Pieced Quilt

An intriguing note came with this framed medallion quilt when it was donated: “The Quaker Quilt. Phil.
Description
An intriguing note came with this framed medallion quilt when it was donated: “The Quaker Quilt. Phil. ca 1840 made for wedding of bride of early Philadelphia Quaker Abolitionist of pieces from the gowns of her trousseau.” Unfortunately there is no indication of the quilt maker or ownership.
The focus of the 41-inch central square, “Star of Bethlehem,” is set off by a 5-inch octagonal border. Additional pieced and plain borders frame this variation of a medallion-style quilt. The beige, tan, brown, rust, and light grey silks and satins utilized for the pattern would be typical of the Quaker esthetic and period. The quilt is lined with roller printed cottons and filled with wool. It is quilted with a variety of geometric patterns (grid, diagonal, chevron, and parallel lines), feathered and flowering vines in the borders, and a spray of flowers in the corner squares. This quilt is a precisely designed example of Quaker quilts in the mid-19th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1845
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.E388880
accession number
182022
catalog number
E388880

Boxed Set of Child's Flatware

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1950
Date made
DELETE
maker
Oneida Ltd.
ID Number
1987.0492.1D
catalog number
1987.0492.1D
accession number
1987.0492

Speech of Robert Emmet, Esq.

Colored lithographic print commemorating the death of Robert Emmet, for leading an 1803 uprising in Dublin. The Goddess of Liberty stands on a tomb holding the hearts of murdered patriots in her hand.
Description (Brief)
Colored lithographic print commemorating the death of Robert Emmet, for leading an 1803 uprising in Dublin. The Goddess of Liberty stands on a tomb holding the hearts of murdered patriots in her hand. To the right is the Figure of Death attacking Lord Norbury, the judge who sentenced Emmet for High Treason. The Scales of Justice lie broken by his side. To the left of the tomb is a representation of the Maid of Erin weeping over murdered Innocence (two children). Beneath the image is the text of Robert Emmet's speech delivered at trial.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
n.d.
depicted
Emmet, Robert
publisher; distributor
Smith, William
depicted
Norbury, Lord
maker
Schnabel & Finkeldey
ID Number
DL.60.2412
catalog number
60.2412
accession number
228146

The Canal Driver

Black and white print of a team of three horses and a driver pulling a barge along a canal. The rear horse is mounted.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a team of three horses and a driver pulling a barge along a canal. The rear horse is mounted.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Kollner, August
ID Number
DL.60.2999
catalog number
60.2999
accession number
228146

View of the Great Treaty Held at Prarie Du Chien

Color print of a large gathering of soldiers and Indians. A dirt road seperates the soldiers, seated in five rows, from a large circle of Indians. More Indians are seated and standing in the foreground and soldiers guard tents on the left.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a large gathering of soldiers and Indians. A dirt road seperates the soldiers, seated in five rows, from a large circle of Indians. More Indians are seated and standing in the foreground and soldiers guard tents on the left.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
1823-09
After 1823-09
maker
Lehman & Duval
ID Number
DL.60.3515
catalog number
60.3515

Rail Shooting on the Delaware

Colored print of two men in a boat amongst reeds and lily pads. One stands in the front of the boat firing at a bird, the other stands at the rear, poling.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of two men in a boat amongst reeds and lily pads. One stands in the front of the boat firing at a bird, the other stands at the rear, poling.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866
maker
Sinclair, Thomas
ID Number
DL.60.2797
catalog number
60.2797
accession number
228146

Child's Spoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1850
maker
Bailey and Company
ID Number
DL.65.1437C
catalog number
65.1437C
accession number
70138

Lepus Texianus, Aud. & Bach.

This hand-colored lithograph was produced for “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America,” the Imperial folio edition, published between 1845 and 1848. The work was a field study of North American mammals.
Description (Brief)
This hand-colored lithograph was produced for “Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America,” the Imperial folio edition, published between 1845 and 1848. The work was a field study of North American mammals. It included 150 stone lithographs produced in three volumes of 50 prints per volume. The lithographs were based on watercolor drawings by John James Audubon and after 1846, son John Woodhouse Audubon, who completed the series due to the elder Audubon’s failing eyesight and declining health. Another son, Victor Gifford Audubon, assisted with the drawings backgrounds. The lithographs were printed on non-watermarked heavy white paper and coloring was applied by hand before the prints were bound. Reverend John Bachman was a naturalist of note, as well as John James Audubon’s friend and father of both daughter-in-laws, so he provided the accompanying letterpress narrative. It made the production truly a family affair. The slightly later Octavo edition contained 155 prints of smaller size.
This unbound lithographic plate depicts a hand-colored image of a brown hare with mottled markings crouched among low grasses.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1848
artist
Audubon, John Woodhouse
printer
Bowen, John T.
publisher
Audubon, John James
ID Number
DL.60.2742
catalog number
60.2742
accession number
228146

Foot Warmer Patent Model

Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 50,123) of a hot water- or sand-heated foot warmer or stove, made by Hermann Hock and Jacob Zilz of Philadelphia, PA, and patented on September 26, 1865.
Description
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 50,123) of a hot water- or sand-heated foot warmer or stove, made by Hermann Hock and Jacob Zilz of Philadelphia, PA, and patented on September 26, 1865. Consists of a wooden box with a red velvet-upholstered, hinged lid that contains a removable tinplate container or reservoir with brass ring-handled plug for the heat source. Off-white wool-lined interior. Rectangular silver plaque mounted below spring latch is engraved "H. Hock & J. Zilz / Phil\a." in script surrounded by flourishes.
This patent model is the protoype for foot warmer DL*311658.
Location
Currently not on view
patent date
1865-09-26
inventor
Hock, Hermann
Zilz, Jacob
ID Number
DL.251770
catalog number
251770
patent number
50,123
accession number
48890

Whalebone

Black and white print of a trotting horse (Whalebone) pulling a sulky and driver.
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a trotting horse (Whalebone) pulling a sulky and driver. Inscription beneath image gives details of the horse's breeding and record.
Description
A black and white print of a light horse with dark mane pulling a road sulky and jockey on flat stretch of ground in the open country. The jockey wears a heavily padded suit and a cap tied under his chin. The horse’s equipment includes blinders, a bit, and a harness with attachments for draft poles of sulky.
Whalebone was foaled in New York in 1821, bred by General Coles of Long Island through Bishops Hambletonian and a descendant of Coffins Messenger. He stood out from the other trotters of his day because he focused on stamina instead of speed. In 1827, Whalebone was able to trot 15 miles in 58 minutes and, in 1831, trotted 32 miles in an hour and 58 minutes. He and Top Gallant were hailed as the greatest trotters and rivals of their day. In addition, Whalebone had only one eye.
Kennedy and Lucas was a lithography firm based in Philadelphia from 1829-1835. This firm illustrated work for the “Floral Magazine and Botanical Repository” as well as other contemporary works. David Kennedy and William Lucas were the firm’s partners though the firm itself was listed as a looking glass store, where they retailed prints, mirrors, and frames. Kennedy and Lucas was possibly the first commercial lithographic establishment in the city of Philadelphia.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Kennedy & Lucas
artist
Hillman, Richard S.
ID Number
DL.60.3564
catalog number
60.3564

Mug

Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug inscribed on front "A. M. Kirkland / to / W. H. Day" in engraved script. Applied reeded molding on the flared rim, rounded bottom, and cast flared circular foot.
Description
Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug inscribed on front "A. M. Kirkland / to / W. H. Day" in engraved script. Applied reeded molding on the flared rim, rounded bottom, and cast flared circular foot. Hollow, double C-scroll handle has a scrolled acanthus leaf on top and a split scroll lower terminal; short oval struts and attachments. Bottom underside struck at center "C.Wiltberger" in raised roman letters in a conforming surround. No centerpoint. One of two canns, DL*60.3903A-B.
Maker is Christian Wiltberger (1766-1851) of Philadelphia, PA; working by 1793 (when partnership with Samuel Alexander dissolved) until 1817.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1795
ID Number
DL.60.3903A
catalog number
60.3903A
accession number
226997

Crossbar for High Altar Gates, National Cathedral

Slightly tapered rectangular bar with eight open circular slits in two sizes and two partial or closed slits at one end, all oriented vertically, and two large punched circular holes, two pairs of offset smaller holes, and a small rectangular slit along one edge, all oriented hor
Description
Slightly tapered rectangular bar with eight open circular slits in two sizes and two partial or closed slits at one end, all oriented vertically, and two large punched circular holes, two pairs of offset smaller holes, and a small rectangular slit along one edge, all oriented horizontally. No marks.
Maker is Keyser Brothers Iron Works, 4041 Ridge Ave. in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, 1928-1971. Run by James Moore Bryant Keyser (1902-1977) and master blacksmith Howard Keyser III (1904-1980). Specialized in residential and ecclesiastical ornamental wrought ironwork, including the High Altar Gates in the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The forge was housed in an 1850s stone industrial complex that was dismantled in 1971 (documented by HABS/HAER).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928-1971
ID Number
DL.72.0024B
catalog number
72.0024B
accession number
299610

Teaspoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1811 - 1827
ID Number
DL.60.1010
catalog number
60.1010
accession number
71656

Untitled (House and stream)

Black and white print of a woodland scene depicting a small house in front of a wide flowing stream. The stream runs below or up to a stone arched stone section of the house.This print was produced from a drawing by Bass Otis.
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a woodland scene depicting a small house in front of a wide flowing stream. The stream runs below or up to a stone arched stone section of the house.
This print was produced from a drawing by Bass Otis. It was created on a lithographic stone made of limestone from Munich, Germany that had been presented to the American Philoophical Society by Thomas Dobson of Philadelphia. The stone had been signed out In May 1819 for the purpose of experimenting by Otis and scientist Dr. Samuel Brown. The printing was done by Otis and published in the July 1819 issue of The Analectic Magazine. It is generally accepted as the first American lithograph.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1819
maker
Otis, Bass
ID Number
DL.60.2417
catalog number
60.2417
accession number
228146

Washington and Friends After a Days Hunt

Colored print of George Washington and five friends with hunting dogs, resting beside their catch: deer, rabbit, quail and duck. Figures and rowboat in background.
Description (Brief)
Colored print of George Washington and five friends with hunting dogs, resting beside their catch: deer, rabbit, quail and duck. Figures and rowboat in background. The other men are identified as Anthony Wayne, the Marquis de Lafayette, Nathaniel Green, Count Casimir Pulaski, and (John?) Lagrange.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1868
depicted
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette
Washington, George
Wayne, Anthony
Greene, Nathanael
graphic artist; lithographer
Tholey
publisher
Smith, John
printer
Spohni, G.
ID Number
DL.60.2573
catalog number
60.2573
accession number
228146

chair, corner

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1760 - 1780
ID Number
DL.035625
catalog number
35625
accession number
97135

Philadelphia in the Olden Time.

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

Sugar Bowl

Two-handled, rectangular, seamed sugar bowl with raised-panel, bulging sides on four ball feet; flared, rectangular cover is topped by an acorn finial.
Description
Two-handled, rectangular, seamed sugar bowl with raised-panel, bulging sides on four ball feet; flared, rectangular cover is topped by an acorn finial. Body is engraved "DFB" in conjoined foliate script and has die-rolled bands of eight-petaled flowers and snowflake motifs at top and bottom of its incurved shoulder and narrower band of leaves at base. Spurred, right-angled, C- and S-curve handles are rectangular in section. Underside is struck incuse twice "P.GARRETT" in raised serif letters in a rectangle and incised "21, 2". No centerpunch. From a three-piece tea service, DL*303918.0001-.0003.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1815 - 1825
ID Number
DL.303918.0002
catalog number
303918.0002
accession number
303918

Teapot

Raised circular urn-shape teapot with double-flared or -trumpeted, hinged lid topped by a large cast ball on a flared circular pedestal atop a square base with applied sides; one side of body is engraved with a large shaded foliate script "G".
Description
Raised circular urn-shape teapot with double-flared or -trumpeted, hinged lid topped by a large cast ball on a flared circular pedestal atop a square base with applied sides; one side of body is engraved with a large shaded foliate script "G". Beading at edges of lid, base of almost flat, incurved neck, top and bottom of pedestal, face and back of the S-curve spout and at tops of the cylindrical sockets, into which is pinned a C-curve handle with scrolled waterleaf. Body perforated at spout. Outside of base opposite monogram is struck "I•M\c/.Mullin" in raised italic roman letters in a rectangle. Inside of lid incised "oz / 22= dwt / 13". No marks on underside. Part of a six-piece coffee and tea service, DL*037807-DL*037812.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1797
ID Number
DL.037809
catalog number
037809
accession number
117389

John Q. Adams, 5th President of the United States

Black and white print with crude coloring added. Oval bust portrait in an ornate rectangular frame of a man (President John Quincy Adams).Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print with crude coloring added. Oval bust portrait in an ornate rectangular frame of a man (President John Quincy Adams).
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1846
depicted
Adams, John Quincy
publisher
Williams, C. S.
maker
Newsam, Albert
Duval, Peter S.
ID Number
DL.60.3227
catalog number
60.3227

Presentation Plate to the Patrons of the Philadelphia Inquirer, 1863

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1863
maker
Sinclair, Thomas
Inger, Christian
Inger, Christian
Inger, Christian
Inger, Christian
ID Number
DL.60.2570
catalog number
60.2570
accession number
228146

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