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.

Single-reeded circular dish with shallow flat well faintly scored around perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Single-reeded circular dish with shallow flat well faintly scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Well underside struck with six marks, twice with lion-in-scrolls touch mark of Edward Danforth above four pseudo-hallmarks (left to right): initials "E•D", spreadwing eagle facing left, single star inside circle of twelve stars, and dagger or sword pointing up, all in flat-top, shaped-bottom shield. Possible repair or damage at center of well (almost appears to be five obliterated marks on underside).
Maker is Edward Danforth (1765-1830) of Middletown and Hartford, CT; active, 1786-1799. Apprenticed with his father, Thomas Danforth II (1731-1782), and then his brothers Joseph and Thomas Danforth in Middletown; relocated in 1786 to Hartford, where, after 1799, he did more business as a general merchant, selling wares by Samuel Danforth and Thomas Danforth Boardman, than as a pewterer.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1785 - 1790
1786 - 1799
ID Number
1986.0027.38
catalog number
1986.0027.38
accession number
1986.0027
Flat oval tray with molded sides and large beaded rim on four applied oval boss feet. Well obverse is engraved with an oval band of trumpet-shaped leaves and flowers sprouting scrolls around a foliate script "W" at center.
Description
Flat oval tray with molded sides and large beaded rim on four applied oval boss feet. Well obverse is engraved with an oval band of trumpet-shaped leaves and flowers sprouting scrolls around a foliate script "W" at center. Circular tag affixed to underside of well at one end is embossed "* ROGERS BROS. MFG CO. * / HARTFORD CONN. (in outer circle)" and "****** / EXTRA / HEAVY / PLATE. / ******* (in inner circle)". Clipped-corner rectangular, red-bordered white paper label affixed at center of underside.
Maker is Rogers Brothers Manufacturing Co. (William, Asa H., and Simeon S. Rogers) of Hartford, CT; 1853-1861.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1853 - 1861
owner; user
Washington, Mary Anne Hammond
ID Number
DL.60.1001
catalog number
60.1001
accession number
71656
Pear-shaped or "Queen Anne" teapot on short foot ring with tall, bell-domed, hinged lid topped by wood button knop; upper part of hinge is a flat, rectangular block. Spurred, S-curve handle has cylindrical sockets; faceted, S-scroll spout has flat, horizontal oval lip.
Description
Pear-shaped or "Queen Anne" teapot on short foot ring with tall, bell-domed, hinged lid topped by wood button knop; upper part of hinge is a flat, rectangular block. Spurred, S-curve handle has cylindrical sockets; faceted, S-scroll spout has flat, horizontal oval lip. Lid decorated with three sets of scored lines and roulette work at edge. Body perforated at spout. Underside of flat bottom struck with an incuse "X" above maker's touch mark; inside has spiral turning mark and possibly an effaced touch at center.
Maker is Thomas Danforth Boardman (1784-1873) of Litchfield and Hartford, CT; working, 1804-circa 1860.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1804-1808
ID Number
1986.0027.47
catalog number
1986.0027.47
accession number
1986.0027
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039I
catalog number
60.1039I
accession number
71656
Single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored once near booge; no foot ring.
Description
Single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored once near booge; no foot ring. Circular eagle touchmark of Boardman & Co., New York, is between two oval secondary marks of a standing spreadwing eagle, body facing right and head turned left, against a textured ground on underside of well; all partial. One of two dishes, DL*388307A-B.
Maker is Thomas Danforth Boardman (1784-1873) and Sherman Boardman (1787-1861) of Hartford, CT (in business, 1810-1854) who used the oval eagle mark without letters after 1820 to indicate pieces made in Hartford. The circular eagle mark indicates these dishes were made for and sold by their New York outlet, Boardman & Co., 1825-1827 (run by Lucius Hart, who became partner in the business in 1828 - renamed Boardman & Hart).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825 - 1827
ID Number
DL.388307B
catalog number
388307B
accession number
182022
Raised circular cream pitcher with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, fain script.
Description
Raised circular cream pitcher with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, fain script. Incurved neck flares to a deeply curved rim with wide pouring lip and die-rolled band of symmetrical floral decoration on exterior. Matching, cast convex rims at shoulder and top of pedestal. Hollow, reeded S-curve handle sprouts from anthemion volutes, the upper terminal with a five-petaled flower at sides. Centerpunch on underside of rounded bottom. Underside of base is struck "W. Thomson" in raised script in a stepped rectangle and scratched "13 9". From cream and sugar set, DL*62.0248-.0249.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1826
ID Number
DL.62.0249
catalog number
62.0249
accession number
1979.0955
Large, single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Large, single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Six marks struck on underside, two different touch marks of Frederick Bassett above four pseudo hallmarks (left to right), rampant lion, illegible figure (possibly a ship), scales and the raised serif letters "FB", all in shaped shields. Planishing marks on underside of booge. Sawtoothed circular, brown and torn paper label affixed to underside with cellophane tape is inscribed and printed (in black) "#3131(?) / Original / John B. Kerfoot / Collection".
Maker is Frederick Bassett (1740-1800); working in New York, NY, 1761-1780 and 1785-circa1800, and Hartford, CT, 1780-1785.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1761-1800
ID Number
1986.0027.39
accession number
1986.0027
catalog number
1986.0027.39
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039C
catalog number
60.1039C
accession number
71656
Single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored at perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Single-reeded circular dish with flat well scored at perimeter; no foot ring. Three partial touch marks struck on underside, twice with oval containing a standing spreadwing eagle, body facing right and head turned left, against a textured ground, no inscription; and once with the circular eagle mark of Boardman & Co., New York. One of two dishes, DL*388307A-B.
Maker is Thomas Danforth Boardman (1784-1873) and Sherman Boardman (1787-1861) of Hartford, CT (in business, 1810-1854) who used the oval eagle mark without letters after 1820 to indicate pieces made in Hartford. The circular eagle mark indicates these dishes were made for and sold by their New York outlet, Boardman & Co., 1825-1827 (run by Lucius Hart, who became partner in the business in 1828 - renamed Boardman & Hart).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1827
ID Number
DL.388307A
catalog number
388307A
accession number
182022
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039A
catalog number
60.1039A
accession number
71656
This hand-colored print, retouched with watercolors, is of an interior scene depicting three men around a table in a well-appointed study. They are dressed in tightly tailored blue or brown frock coats, britches, white shirts, cravats(sons) and ascots (father).
Description
This hand-colored print, retouched with watercolors, is of an interior scene depicting three men around a table in a well-appointed study. They are dressed in tightly tailored blue or brown frock coats, britches, white shirts, cravats(sons) and ascots (father). One is standing and receiving money from his father. The other son is seated on a red chair and looks on disapprovingly.
The parable of the Prodigal Son or the Lost Son is among the best-known Christian morality tales and is found in Luke 15:11-32. The youngest of the two sons demands his share of his father’s estate which the father gives him. Shortly after, he runs off and squanders the wealth “in wild living”. Finding himself destitute, he returns to his father, repents his ways, and begs to be allowed to serve as a hired servant. The father rejoices at the return of his son “who was lost and is found.” Meanwhile, the obedient, older son is angry and refuses to join the celebration. His father pleads with him to forgive and to understand his joy.
This print was originally produced by Amos Doolittle and later printed by the lithographic firm of D. W. Kellogg and Company. Amos Doolittle (1754-1832) was an American engraver who was trained as a jeweler and silversmith. He lived in Connecticut and was especially well known for his four engravings of the battles of Lexington and Concord. He also engraved Biblical scenes, bookplates and portraits.
Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) founded D. W. Kellogg and Company in Hartford, Connecticut in 1830. Even before its first retail store opened in 1834, the D.W. Kellogg & Co. lithography firm was well established and popular in United States, particularly in the South and the Southwest. As the founding member of the family company, Daniel Wright Kellogg was responsible for the initial growth and popularity of the firm. After he left the company, it continued to flourish for decades under his younger brothers and other family members.
A nearly identical print (60.2921A) was made by the same principal publisher and another (60.2944) with a modified image was created about a decade later. Print (60.2938) depicts the same theme with a different illustration and by a different publisher.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1838
maker
D.W. Kellogg and Company
original artist
Doolittle, Amos
ID Number
DL.60.2921
catalog number
60.2921
accession number
228146
maker number
758
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039B
catalog number
60.1039B
accession number
71656
Small, single-reeded circular dish with flat well having a faint, partially visible incised line around perimeter; no foot ring. Partial sawtooth circle with eagle touch mark of Samuel Danforth stamped twice on underside.
Description
Small, single-reeded circular dish with flat well having a faint, partially visible incised line around perimeter; no foot ring. Partial sawtooth circle with eagle touch mark of Samuel Danforth stamped twice on underside. One of two plates, DL*391774-DL*391775.
Maker is Samuel Danforth of Hartford, CT; working 1795-1816.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795-1816
ID Number
DL.391775
catalog number
391775
accession number
71679
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This half length hand colored portrait print depicts a young woman wearing a velvet hat accented with an ostrich feather. Her dark red dress is accented with a high white collar. Around her waist is a belt with a gold buckle. She wears a long necklace around her neck and gold drop earrings.
This print was produced by the lithographic firm of D.W. Kellogg & Co. Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) founded the company in 1830 Hartford, Connecticut. Before the opening of its first retail store in 1834, D.W. Kellogg & Co. lithography firm was well established and popular in United States, particularly in the South and the Southwest. As the founding member of the family company, Daniel Wright Kellogg established the initial growth and popularity of the firm. After he left the company it continued to flourish for decades under his younger brothers and other family members.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1842
maker
D.W. Kellogg and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2510
catalog number
60.2510
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039D
catalog number
60.1039D
accession number
71656
Small, single-reeded circular dish with flat well having a faint, partially visible scored line around perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Small, single-reeded circular dish with flat well having a faint, partially visible scored line around perimeter; no foot ring. Partial sawtooth circle with eagle touch mark of Samuel Danforth struck twice on underside; mark at left very faint and appears to be overstruck with "SA(M?)[???]" in raised roman letters in an oval. See also DL*391774-DL*391775 (same maker and plate size).
Maker is Samuel Danforth of Hartford, CT; working 1795-1816.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795-1816
ID Number
DL.300859.0010
catalog number
300859.0010
accession number
300859
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039E
catalog number
60.1039E
accession number
71656
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039H
catalog number
60.1039H
accession number
71656
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039F
catalog number
60.1039F
accession number
71656
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039G
catalog number
60.1039G
accession number
71656
Two-handled, covered, raised circular sugar bowl with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, faint script.
Description
Two-handled, covered, raised circular sugar bowl with twelve-lobed bulbous lower body accented by faceted diamonds on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base; one lobe is engraved "SM" in small, faint script. Tiered upper body and repousse chased cover, which is topped by a cast basket of fruits and flowers. Cast convex, symmetrical floral patterned rims at shoulder and top of pedestal; die-rolled bands of matching decoration at opening and base. Hollow, reeded S-curve handles sprout from anthemion volutes, the upper terminals with a five-petaled flower at sides. Centerpunch on underside of rounded bottom. Underside of base is struck "W. Thomson" in raised script in a stepped rectangle and scratched "26 11". Handwritten note giving history stored inside. From cream and sugar set, DL*62.0248-.0249.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1826
ID Number
DL.62.0248
catalog number
62.0248
accession number
1979.0955
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
ID Number
DL.60.1039K
catalog number
60.1039K
accession number
71656
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well incised at perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well incised at perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck once with sawtooth circle touchmark of Otis Williams, and scratched "Hicks" and "Gardner's Plate / Presented from New York / from Hicks" in script and "6091".
Maker is Otis Williams (1799-1831) of Rocky Hill and Hartford, CT; he operated a block tin and pewter manufactory in Buffalo, NY, ca. 1826-1831.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1826 - 1831
ID Number
1986.0027.35
catalog number
1986.0027.35
accession number
1986.0027
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This half length hand colored portrait print depicts a young woman with a rose adorning her dark upswept hair. She wears a red dress with huge puffy sleeves, a gold striped shawl and gold drop earrings on her right ear.
This print was produced by the lithographic firm of D.W. Kellogg & Co. Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) founded the company in 1830 Hartford, Connecticut. Before the opening of its first retail store in 1834, D.W. Kellogg & Co. lithography firm was well established and popular in United States, particularly in the South and the Southwest. As the founding member of the family company, Daniel Wright Kellogg established the initial growth and popularity of the firm. After he left the company it continued to flourish for decades under his younger brothers and other family members.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1842
maker
D.W. Kellogg and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2509
catalog number
60.2509
accession number
228146

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