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.

Overshot wool and cotton coverlet in black (oxidized indigo?) and natural. Small-scale geometric pattern of opposing meanders and flower heads. Two panels, stitched together. No borders. Unknown maker.Currently not on view
Description
Overshot wool and cotton coverlet in black (oxidized indigo?) and natural. Small-scale geometric pattern of opposing meanders and flower heads. Two panels, stitched together. No borders. Unknown maker.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
1979.0725.059
accession number
1979.0725
catalog number
1979.0725.0059.000
Overshot coverlet made with red, indigo and natural colored yarns. Rose and table pattern--no extra border pattern. The coverlet is consists of two panels stitched together.
Description
Overshot coverlet made with red, indigo and natural colored yarns. Rose and table pattern--no extra border pattern. The coverlet is consists of two panels stitched together. Yarns: warp-single ply , z twist white cotton, ground weft--single z twist white cotton, pattern-weft single z twist red and indigo wool. The top and bottom hems are hand stitched. Repeat size of pattern 6 1/8 " x 5 3/4." There is no border pattern. According to the donor, this coverlet was owned by Mrs. Sarah Franklin Brown , grand mother of the donor. She lived in Washington County, Tenn. (post office-Telford, just below Jonesboro) in the Southern Highlands.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16890
catalog number
T16890.00S
accession number
308471
This blue and white, overshot coverlet was woven in a simplified version of the “Orange Peel” pattern. The two-paneled coverlet measures ninety-four inches in length by seventy-two inches wide.
Description
This blue and white, overshot coverlet was woven in a simplified version of the “Orange Peel” pattern. The two-paneled coverlet measures ninety-four inches in length by seventy-two inches wide. The plain weave ground cloth is made up of natural or unbleached linen or cotton warp and weft yarn and the supplementary pattern weft is a 2-ply wool yarn. There is some staining and slight discoloration, but overall this coverlet is in fairly good condition. Because the donor collected this coverlet from and unknown sources, the date and maker of this blue and white, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet is unknown. The coverlet was probably made between 1790 and 1825 and could possibly be from New York. The weaver of this early coverlet would also likely have been a woman or group of women who would pool equipment and skill sets to produce domestic goods for themselves and their neighbors. Since this coverlet dates from the early 19th century, it is quite likely that some or even all of the yarns used were homespun. Professional weavers switched to machine-spun cotton as soon as it was available, but hand-spun wool continued in use in coverlets in the early 19th century.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1850
1800-1900
1790-1825
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T6887
catalog number
T06887.000
accession number
011503
Hannah Chandler (1761-1836) wove this "American Beauty" pattern, overshot coverlet using a light and medium blue 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun indigo-dyed cotton and linen warp, a Z-spun cotton single weft, and a 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun gold wool supplementary pattern weft.
Description
Hannah Chandler (1761-1836) wove this "American Beauty" pattern, overshot coverlet using a light and medium blue 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun indigo-dyed cotton and linen warp, a Z-spun cotton single weft, and a 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun gold wool supplementary pattern weft. The coverlet was woven as one length, cut in half, folded back on itself, and seamed up the middle, creating the full coverlet width. Although undated in the weave and lacking an embroidered date on the hemline, this coverlet was most likely woven c. 1790-1825 near Wilmington, Vermont. This coverlet is said to be made by Hannah Chandler. The donor is the great-granddaughter of Hannah, wife of Medad Smith. Hannah Chandler was born October 28, 1761 and died April 26, 1836. Medad Smith was born February 22, 1755, and married Hannah October 23, 1781. The coverlet was originally dated at 1780, but this is too early for plied cotton yarns to be found in the warp. Technology improved toward the end of the 18th century allowing for stronger cotton yarns that could withstand the tension of the loom. This coverlet is interesting because of the blue-dyed cotton and linen threads. When contrasted with the gold wool, this coverlet would have really stood out in a room.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1780
ca.1780
date made
c. 1790-1825
maker
Chandler, Hannah
Chandler, Hannah
ID Number
TE.T7728
catalog number
T7728
T. 7728
accession number
139053
According to the donor of this coverlet, it first belonged to Mrs. Ferdinand O’Neal, who lived just outside Zanesville, Ohio. Her maiden name is believed to have been Wheeler, and in about 1863 she married Mr.
Description
According to the donor of this coverlet, it first belonged to Mrs. Ferdinand O’Neal, who lived just outside Zanesville, Ohio. Her maiden name is believed to have been Wheeler, and in about 1863 she married Mr. O’Neal and moved to a home outside of Zanesville, known as “Greenwood.” Mrs. O’Neal passed the coverlet on to her daughter Marcella O’Neal, who passed it on to Martha Margaret O’Neal. The coverlet is made entirely of wool, and was probably woven between 1840 and 1860. It is an overshot weave, seamed together from two pieces. The pattern, of concentric circles linked by small squares giving the effect of a diagonal grid, is similar to one known as “Cup and Saucer.” The weaver is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840-1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
1993.0225.01
accession number
1993.0225
catalog number
1993.0225.01
The donor’s great-great-grandmother wove this blue and white, overshot coverlet featuring the pattern known as "Queen's Delight "or "Mary Simmons" c. 1800-1825 in Cortland County, New York. The donor’s grandmother was Mrs.
Description
The donor’s great-great-grandmother wove this blue and white, overshot coverlet featuring the pattern known as "Queen's Delight "or "Mary Simmons" c. 1800-1825 in Cortland County, New York. The donor’s grandmother was Mrs. Evalina Bean Hammund, but the name of her great-great-grandmother is unknown and there were no further details about through which line of her family it may have descended. The coverlet was constructed from two panels woven as one length, cut, and seamed up the middle. The ground cloth was woven from a white 2 ply, s-twist, z-spun cotton warp, a z-twist, s-spun cotton single ground weft, and a 2-ply, s-twist, z-spun wool supplementary pattern weft. The coverlet measures 77 inches by 70 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1825
19th century
early 19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16385
catalog number
T16385.000
accession number
303434
According to the donor, Elizabeth Deuel is said to have made this blue and white, overshot, all-linen coverlet in 1790, in the Saratoga region of New York. Her name and the date are cross-stitched into the lower edge of the coverlet just above the fringe.
Description
According to the donor, Elizabeth Deuel is said to have made this blue and white, overshot, all-linen coverlet in 1790, in the Saratoga region of New York. Her name and the date are cross-stitched into the lower edge of the coverlet just above the fringe. A search of the 1790 census of the area produced no one with the surname Deuel. More research is needed to determine where Deuel lived, and if she was the weaver or the owner of this coverlet. In the 18th century, it was common for household textiles to be marked with the initials or name of the owner and the date. The average colonial home did not have a great number of household textiles, and they were considered important possessions. This coverlet was woven in two sections that were then sewn together. The coverlet is woven in a “Chariot Wheel” pattern and measures 104.75 inches by 80.25 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th century
1790
weaver or owner
Deuel, Elizabeth
maker or owner of coverlet
Deuel, Elizabeth
ID Number
1981.0274.05
accession number
1981.0274
catalog number
1981.0274.05
This blue and white, overshot coverlet is woven in a simple patch pattern variation. The customer’s initials, "M S" and the date “1787” are woven into the fabric at one corner. The weaver of this coverlet is unknown; however, there are several others known.
Description
This blue and white, overshot coverlet is woven in a simple patch pattern variation. The customer’s initials, "M S" and the date “1787” are woven into the fabric at one corner. The weaver of this coverlet is unknown; however, there are several others known. There are two others in the NMAH collection. It is thought that the weaver worked in the Albany, New York area. The earliest coverlet that is dated in the weave was woven by this weaver. It is dated 1771 and is currently in the collection of the National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The coverlet was constructed from two panels and measures 89 inches by 64 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1787
maker
unknown
ID Number
1979.0723.02
accession number
1979.0723
catalog number
1979.0723.2
Overshot, red, indigo & white coverlet woven in the Rose and table design. The coverlet is made up of three widths of fabric stitched together. The coverlet is said to have been made by Talitha Alvis Stallings, near Humboldt Tennesse.
Description
Overshot, red, indigo & white coverlet woven in the Rose and table design. The coverlet is made up of three widths of fabric stitched together. The coverlet is said to have been made by Talitha Alvis Stallings, near Humboldt Tennesse. Her husband Bryant Stallings is said to have sheared the sheep, while she spun the yarn and wove it into fabric.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
1875-1880
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T16949
catalog number
T16949.00S
accession number
310789
This hand woven overshot coverlet is part of the Copp Collection which was given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The pattern is similar to "White Mountian" or "Granite State' and woven with linen and wool yarn.
Description
This hand woven overshot coverlet is part of the Copp Collection which was given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The pattern is similar to "White Mountian" or "Granite State' and woven with linen and wool yarn. The coverlet is woven in two sections with each section being 42 3/4 inches wide. The two sections are joined together with linen sewing thread. The coverlet was probably made in the 18th century. The weaver is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
late 18th century
18th century
date made
c. 1770-1800
ID Number
TE.H6677
catalog number
H006677.000
accession number
28810
Overshot coverlet woven with red, green and white cotton and wool yarn in a large "double bowknot with Window Sash" pattern. The white ground warp and weft (filling) yarns are white cotton, and the supplementary pattern weft yarns (red and green) are wool.
Description
Overshot coverlet woven with red, green and white cotton and wool yarn in a large "double bowknot with Window Sash" pattern. The white ground warp and weft (filling) yarns are white cotton, and the supplementary pattern weft yarns (red and green) are wool. Each repeat of the pattern is 18 inches by 20 inches. The coverlet is constructed of two panels, woven as one length, cut, and seamed together to create the finished width. This coverlet was woven sometime in the nineteenth century. There is little provenance information. Overshot coverlet weaving has been continual in the United States from colonial times through the present day and was usually associated with domestic production. This coverlet was purchased in New Jersey; however, it could have been woven from New England down through the South, where this pattern is commonly referred to as “Muscadine Hulls.”
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1900
19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T18210
catalog number
T18210.000
accession number
1977.0101
A member of the Copp family of Stonington, Connecticut wove this green, red, and white, overshot coverlet in a “Single Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet was constructed of two panels woven as one length and features an applied wool fringe on three sides.Currently not on view
Description
A member of the Copp family of Stonington, Connecticut wove this green, red, and white, overshot coverlet in a “Single Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet was constructed of two panels woven as one length and features an applied wool fringe on three sides.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1825
1790-1820
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.H6674
catalog number
H006674.000
accession number
028810
Overshot, natural & indigo-dyed coverlet; Pine Bloom design. Probably made in VA by the donors great-grandmother Johnston (no middle name given) (Elizabeth Babb Rusk's grandmother Johnston.)Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Overshot, natural & indigo-dyed coverlet; Pine Bloom design. Probably made in VA by the donors great-grandmother Johnston (no middle name given) (Elizabeth Babb Rusk's grandmother Johnston.)
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1830s
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T9002
catalog number
T09002.000
accession number
168187
This single-woven cotton and wool overshot coverlet was made in the early 19th century. It is part of the Copp Collection of costume and household textiles given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The coverlet was woven in two sections, which were sewn together.
Description
This single-woven cotton and wool overshot coverlet was made in the early 19th century. It is part of the Copp Collection of costume and household textiles given to the Museum in the late 19th century. The coverlet was woven in two sections, which were sewn together. The patterns used are known as “Four Roses” and “Table,” and the coverlet is finished with a hand-woven wool fringe two and one-half inches deep. The center seam, fringe, and hems are all sewn with cotton thread. The weaver and the owner remain unknown. The Copps first arrived in America in 1635. By the 18th century, the descendents of the first Copps were living in Stonington, Connecticut, working as merchants and businessmen. They imported textiles for sale, and like other colonists, they engaged in some home production as well.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780-1810
early 19th century
1800-1825
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.H6678
catalog number
H006678.000
accession number
028810
Lizzie Reagan wove this overshot coverlet in Tennessee in about 1930. It is made of cotton and wool, and woven in a design that is sometimes known as "Lee's Surrender." Lizzie Reagan was known as Aunt Lizzie, and was an expert on natural dyes.
Description
Lizzie Reagan wove this overshot coverlet in Tennessee in about 1930. It is made of cotton and wool, and woven in a design that is sometimes known as "Lee's Surrender." Lizzie Reagan was known as Aunt Lizzie, and was an expert on natural dyes. She was active in the movement to reintroduce "old" methods such as hand spinning and weaving at the Phi Beta Phi Settlement School in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Such schools were started in the 1880s by benevolent societies in an attempt to encourage and preserve the local material culture, and provide the local artists with income.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1930
maker
Reagan, Lizzie
ID Number
1996.0120.01
catalog number
1996.0120.01
accession number
1996.0120
Abbie Corey Brackett is said to have woven this cotton and wool overshot coverlet on the Corey farm in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. It is woven in two sections, each forty inches wide.
Description
Abbie Corey Brackett is said to have woven this cotton and wool overshot coverlet on the Corey farm in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. It is woven in two sections, each forty inches wide. The center seam of this single-woven coverlet is sewn with linen thread. The attached fringe is eight inches deep, and made of hand-knotted wool. In the 18th and 19th centuries, very few women were involved in weaving anything as complicated as a coverlet. However, women were involved in spinning fiber into yarn. They would take the yarn to a professional weaver and pay him to make them a coverlet. The coverlet might have been used immediately or it could be put into the maker's dowry, or hope chest, for use after marriage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1825
owner; possible maker
Brackett, Abbie Corey
ID Number
TE.T9125
catalog number
T09125.000
accession number
169638
This orange/rust and blue, all-wool, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Double Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet has fringe along two edges, suggesting that this coverlet may originally have been three panels rather than two. The lower fringe is a self-fringe.
Description
This orange/rust and blue, all-wool, overshot coverlet was woven in a “Double Chariot Wheel” pattern. The coverlet has fringe along two edges, suggesting that this coverlet may originally have been three panels rather than two. The lower fringe is a self-fringe. The fringe on the side is applied. The coverlet is composed of two panels, (possibly three initially), woven as one length and seamed up the center to create the finished coverlet width. The warp yarns are a golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The ground weft is golden rust, 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool. The supplementary pattern weft is blue 2-ply, S-twist, Z-spun wool yarn. The yarn count was 20 warp ends by 9 weft ends per inch.s per inch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790-1810
late 18th century
early 19th century
maker
unknown
ID Number
1981.0274.08
accession number
1981.0274
catalog number
1981.0274.08
This overshot coverlet is said to have been made by Lavina Rogers of Horse Creek, Tennessee, in 1833. It is made of cotton and wool, and is woven in what some call the "Braddocks Defeat" pattern.
Description
This overshot coverlet is said to have been made by Lavina Rogers of Horse Creek, Tennessee, in 1833. It is made of cotton and wool, and is woven in what some call the "Braddocks Defeat" pattern. The coverlet appears to have been repaired, as the center seam and the hems are machine sewn with cotton sewing thread. There were very few female hand- weavers in 1833. In most cases women spun the yarn used in their coverlets, and commissioned a professional weaver to actually weave the coverlet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1830-1840
1833
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14956
catalog number
T014956
accession number
124301
This red, blue, white, and green overshot coverlet woven with cotton and wool yarns was woven in Pennsylvania by the donor’s grandmother in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania.
Description
This red, blue, white, and green overshot coverlet woven with cotton and wool yarns was woven in Pennsylvania by the donor’s grandmother in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. The donor’s grandmother died in 1943 at the age of 83, meaning that this coverlet was likely woven sometime in the last quarter of the nineteenth century. The pattern is "Star and Table" and similar to both the “Granite State" and "King’s Flower” patterns. The coverlet was woven as one length, cut, folded back on itself, and cotton thread was used to sew the center seam, and to attach the tape fringe.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875-1900
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14531
catalog number
T14531.000
accession number
277451
According to the donor, her ancestor, Hannah Gray (b. July 13, 1823) wove this coverlet sometime before her wedding in 1858 in Connecticut. The blue and white, overshot coverlet is woven in a “Single Chariot Wheel" pattern. Hannah was the sister of Tompkins C.
Description
According to the donor, her ancestor, Hannah Gray (b. July 13, 1823) wove this coverlet sometime before her wedding in 1858 in Connecticut. The blue and white, overshot coverlet is woven in a “Single Chariot Wheel" pattern. Hannah was the sister of Tompkins C. Grey, a member of the House of Representatives. The coverlet measures 98 inches by 76 inches and is composed of two panels which were woven as one length and seamed together to create the finished width.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
early 19th century
ID Number
TE.T12817
catalog number
T12817.000
accession number
241956
The weaver and original owner of this very complex, well worn, single-woven, linen, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet, dated 1784, are unknown. The letters “E M” and the date are woven into the coverlet on the lower right hand side, using a hand technique.
Description
The weaver and original owner of this very complex, well worn, single-woven, linen, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet, dated 1784, are unknown. The letters “E M” and the date are woven into the coverlet on the lower right hand side, using a hand technique. We do not know if
“E M” stands for name of the owner or the weaver. In the 18th century it was not unusual for textiles to be marked with the initials of the owner, but it was usually done with embroidery. The initials identified the coverlet as the woman's property. Women could own and inherit "moveable" property.
The overall patterns used in this coverlet are “Rose” and “Tables,” and there are two shades of indigo blue used in a band effect. The coverlet was woven in two sections, and then sewn together. The original size of the sections and the coverlet as a whole are unknown, as there are no original edges present. This coverlet was found in Massachusetts. In the18th century, a young woman might commission the weaving of a coverlet or receive one as a gift, and put it in her dowry (hope chest) saving it for use after marriage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1784
maker
unknown
ID Number
1979.0723.01
accession number
1979.0723
catalog number
1979.0723.1
This padded and quilted blue satin square, produced by William Skinner and Sons, was probably a sales model used at their New York City store. The sample is padded and hand quilted in a 2¾-inch grid pattern.
Description
This padded and quilted blue satin square, produced by William Skinner and Sons, was probably a sales model used at their New York City store. The sample is padded and hand quilted in a 2¾-inch grid pattern. Extra filling in the unquilted borders makes them higher than the quilted surface.
In the early 20th-century, William Skinner and Sons was a prominent silk production and textile manufacturer. From 1874 the manufacturing business was located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. After the death of the founder, William Skinner in 1902, his sons took over the business. The family sold the business to Indian Head Mills in 1961. This square is an example of “Skinner’s Satins,” as they were popularly known.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1950
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T07005
accession number
119013
catalog number
T07005
This “Monk’s Belt,” orange, blue, brown, and white coverlet was repurposed during its life as the batting for a quilt.
Description
This “Monk’s Belt,” orange, blue, brown, and white coverlet was repurposed during its life as the batting for a quilt. The pattern of this coverlet, known as “Monk’s Belt,” is a checkerboard repeat about five inches long and four inches wide, consisting of two, quarter-inch-wide blocks, with an inch-high horizontal band made up of stripes of blue/yellowish-tan/blue separating each row of blocks. The alternately woven yellow-tan and dark brown weft yarns create the block and stripe pattern. This coverlet was found inside an 18th-century quilt. It is believed to be one of the oldest coverlet in the collection--possibly as early as the 1770s. The coverlet measures 86 inches by 61 inches and was constructed from two panels. There are borders along three edges created from fractional reductions of the main pattern.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1770-1790
c. 1770
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14718
catalog number
T14718.00B
accession number
281922
This bedcover, no filling or quilting, has over 100 eight-inch blocks pieced in the “LeMoyne Star” pattern. An assortment of roller-printed cottons (florals, geometrics, and plaids) are set off with white pieces.
Description
This bedcover, no filling or quilting, has over 100 eight-inch blocks pieced in the “LeMoyne Star” pattern. An assortment of roller-printed cottons (florals, geometrics, and plaids) are set off with white pieces. The lining is composed of four lengths of plain-woven roller-printed cotton. The binding is a ¾-inch woven striped cotton tape folded over edge, sewn with a running stitch through all layers. The variety of printed cottons used for the stars and the star motif make this mid-nineteenth century bedcover a typical example of the period.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1850-1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T17354.000
catalog number
T17354.000
accession number
321804

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