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.

Set of six dinner knives (1986.531.162-.167) in light brown flannel carrying pouch with individual pockets for each knife (1986.531.247). Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster fitted into tapered ivory handle with rounded sides and butt.
Description
Set of six dinner knives (1986.531.162-.167) in light brown flannel carrying pouch with individual pockets for each knife (1986.531.247). Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster fitted into tapered ivory handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with single steel pin through side of handle. Blade is scratched, plate is worn, tarnished. Ivory is yellowed, cracked, and crazed.
Blade is stamped: “LAMSON & GOODNOW MFG Co/S. FALLS WORKS”
Maker is Lamson & Goodnow Company, a manufacturer and wholesaler active in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 1844-present.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860- 1880
maker
Lamson & Goodnow
ID Number
1986.0531.162
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.162
Two-handled, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handles have scrolled acanthus sprigs and conical struts.
Description
Two-handled, squat baluster-shape bowl with cast floral rim and sprig decoration on its body in imitation of bright-cut engraving; flat bottom. C-curve handles have scrolled acanthus sprigs and conical struts. Bottom underside struck incuse with a horizontal-banded circular mark for "BRISTOL (arched) / PLATE CO. (across center in band) / U.S.A. / QUADRUPLE PLATE (curved)" in sans serif letters above "357". From a four-piece tea service, DL*66.0275-.0278.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890
ID Number
DL.66.0277
catalog number
66.0277
accession number
263347
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; bust portrait of a man (James Fenimore Cooper).Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print; bust portrait of a man (James Fenimore Cooper).
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
depicted
Cooper, James Fenimore
publisher
Peabody & Co.
Childs & Inman
maker
Pendleton's Lithography
ID Number
DL.60.3130
catalog number
60.3130
accession number
228146
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
Dessert knife. Straight steel blade with rounded tip and squared bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a wooden tapered block handle with straight sides and a rounded butt. Tang is held in place with a brass pin.
Description
Dessert knife. Straight steel blade with rounded tip and squared bolster. Blade, bolster, and tang are one piece of steel fitted into a wooden tapered block handle with straight sides and a rounded butt. Tang is held in place with a brass pin. Metal has scratches and minor discoloration. Wood has small crack on underside near bolster. Brass is corroded.
Blade is stamped: “SOUTH RIVER CUTLERY Co/CONWAY MASS”
Maker is the South River Cutlery Company, in business 1851-1858 in Conway, Massachusetts.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1851- 1858
ID Number
1986.0531.104
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.104
Knife, part of a three-piece cutlery set with two matching forks (1986.0531.157-159). Straight steel blade with rounded tip and small “yankee” style bolster. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel with tang fitted into a tapered horn handle with rounded sides and butt.
Description
Knife, part of a three-piece cutlery set with two matching forks (1986.0531.157-159). Straight steel blade with rounded tip and small “yankee” style bolster. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel with tang fitted into a tapered horn handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with brass pin through side. Metal is corroded, darkened, and scratched with minor rust spots. Horn is scratched.
Blade is stamped: “LAMSON GOODNOW & Co/S. FALLS WORKS”
Maker is Lamson & Goodnow Company, a manufacturer and wholesaler active in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 1844-present.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860- 1880
maker
Lamson & Goodnow
ID Number
1986.0531.157
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.157
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1700 - 1725
ID Number
DL.60.1264
catalog number
60.1264
accession number
229480
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pe
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and bossed bottom; cast crown handle with triangular bracket is pierced with 11 voids and struck on top with the incuse serif letters "LB" at center of a circular shield on indistinct support flanked by bossed foliate volutes below a five-pearl (ducal) coronet with textured ground. "Mason" and "10" scratched on underside of boss. No touchmarks. Diamond or lozenge linen mark with sink hole from tinker's dam used to burn handle on to bowl. Turning marks across entire bottom underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 18th or early 19th century
1770 - 1780
ID Number
DL.388320
catalog number
388320
accession number
182022
Wire-rimmed conical cup with interior lip soldered to a base formed of two shallow pans attached well-to-well.
Description
Wire-rimmed conical cup with interior lip soldered to a base formed of two shallow pans attached well-to-well. Flat circular lid and circular loop strap handle, placed on opposite sides of rim, are both hinged; handle can fold inside the cup when lid is open but cannot rest on top of the closed lid. Cup with folded vertical seam. Riveted construction. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
19th century
ID Number
DL.151485
catalog number
151485
accession number
23640
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878 - 1896
ID Number
DL.60.0976
catalog number
60.0976
accession number
68743
One of a set of four dessert knives (1986.0531.152-.55). Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and small “yankee” style bolster. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel fitted into an ivory handle with rounded sides and butt.
Description
One of a set of four dessert knives (1986.0531.152-.55). Straight silver-plated steel blade with rounded tip and small “yankee” style bolster. Blade and bolster are one piece of steel fitted into an ivory handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with a single steel pin through the side. Blade is scratched and tarnished. Ivory has crack down one side near pin.
Blade is stamped: “LAMSON GOODNOW & Co/S. FALLS WORKS”; partially faded.
Maker is Lamson & Goodnow Company, a manufacturer and wholesaler active in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 1844-present.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1860- 1880
maker
Lamson & Goodnow
ID Number
1986.0531.152
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.531.152
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/.
Description
Raised, rectangular, boat-shaped, covered sugar bowl on short flared rectangular base with four ball feet; engraved on one side with a wreath of oak leaves and acorns above the inscription "Com. O.H.PERRY / CONQUERED the ENEMY, on LAKE ERIE, / Septem. 10\th/. 1813.", and on the other "PRESENTED / by the Citizens of / BOSTON." Double-domed and flared rectangular cover is joined at middle by a die-rolled band of eight-petaled flowers and topped by a rectangular finial. Die-rolled band of roses at rim above stepped-ogee top portion of the bulbous lower body. Gadrooning at middle of finial and edge of base. Right-angled, tapered strap handles with grapevine decoration. Underside of rounded bottom struck "Ch[u]rc[hill] & / T[r]eadwell" in raised roman letters in a rectangle above centerpoint; "8"10" scratched upside-down above maker's mark. Cover slightly wobbly. Few dents in body. One foot reattached. Part of tea and coffee service, 1985.0121.01-.07.
Maker is Jesse Churchill (1773-1819) and Daniel Treadwell (1791-1872) of Boston, MA; dates in partnership given as 1805-1813.and 1809-1819.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1813-1814
ID Number
1985.0121.05
catalog number
1985.0121.05
accession number
1985.0121
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and slightly domed bottom having a small circle stamped at center inside; cast four-hearts-and-crescent handle with triangular bracket. No touchmarks. Small sections of linen mark faintly visible.
Description
Bellied-bowl porringer with angled rim and slightly domed bottom having a small circle stamped at center inside; cast four-hearts-and-crescent handle with triangular bracket. No touchmarks. Small sections of linen mark faintly visible. Gutter and boss are well defined with crisp turning marks on bottom underside.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800 - 1825
ID Number
DL.59.2231
catalog number
59.2231
accession number
220211
Dessert knife, one of a set of six (1988.763.4-9). Straight steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster fitted into tapered ivory handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle.
Description
Dessert knife, one of a set of six (1988.763.4-9). Straight steel blade with rounded tip and “yankee” style bolster fitted into tapered ivory handle with rounded sides and butt. Tang is held in place with steel pin through side of handle. Blade is scratched and abraded, with minor corrosion and rust. Ivory is yellowed and crazed, crack near bolster. Steel pin is rusted.
Blade is stamped: “CLEMENT HAWKES /& MAYNARD”
Maker is the Clement Hawkes & Maynard Manufacturing Company, founded in 1866 in Northampton, Massachusetts. The company was reorganized circa 1882 as the Clement Cutlery Company.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866- 1882
ID Number
1988.0763.09
accession number
1988.0763
catalog number
1988.0763.09
Bowl-shaped porringer with bulging sides, a narrower, slightly angled rim, and boss bottom with flat gutter; cast handle is pierced in a keyhole pattern with 13 voids and engraved on front "O / T L" in shaded serif letters facing out.
Description
Bowl-shaped porringer with bulging sides, a narrower, slightly angled rim, and boss bottom with flat gutter; cast handle is pierced in a keyhole pattern with 13 voids and engraved on front "O / T L" in shaded serif letters facing out. Struck once on bottom inside "IE" with crown above and crude fleur-de-lis below, all in a shield. Centerpoint on bottom underside. Old red-bordered paper museum label on bottom underside. No weight engraved.
Maker is John Edwards (1671-1746) of Boston, MA; father of Samuel and Thomas Edwards and grandfather of Joseph Edwards, Jr., all silversmiths.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1725
ca 1700
maker
Edwards, John
ID Number
DL.383508
catalog number
383508
accession number
162866
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck once with the tombstone-shaped, eagle touch mark of Thomas Badger, above "[B]OSTON" in raised serif letters in a rectangle with scrolls below.
Description
Single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck once with the tombstone-shaped, eagle touch mark of Thomas Badger, above "[B]OSTON" in raised serif letters in a rectangle with scrolls below. Remnants of torn masking tape on underside. Entire plate (including marks) crisp and clean, turning rings visible. One of three plates, DL*388308A-C.
Maker is Thomas Badger (1764-1826) of Boston, MA; working 1787-1815.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1800-1815
1787-1815
ID Number
DL.388308C
catalog number
388308C
accession number
182022
Square, hinged lid, retail box or tin for "KENNEDY'S / CHAMPION / BISCUIT", sold by F. A. Kennedy Company, Cambridgeport, MA.
Description
Square, hinged lid, retail box or tin for "KENNEDY'S / CHAMPION / BISCUIT", sold by F. A. Kennedy Company, Cambridgeport, MA. A chromolithographed label covers the box front and features the product name in yellow-bordered, white letters against yellow ears of wheat in a black reserve bordered by red and white lines on a blue ground; small print along bottom states "MANUFACTURED BY THE NEW YORK BISCUIT CO." One-piece, flat lid has a wire-rolled rim, a scrolled clasp lock and two hinges. Three-piece box with an inward-folded rim has folded vertical seams inside two corners and a flat bottom with folded edge. Tinned interior.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1889-1898
ID Number
DL.238049.0082
catalog number
238049.0082
accession number
238049
Octagonal or panel-sided, urn-shaped cream pot with spurred S-scroll handle; missing pedestal base. Conforming rim and pouring spout. Maker's mark partially visible on underside of body.
Description
Octagonal or panel-sided, urn-shaped cream pot with spurred S-scroll handle; missing pedestal base. Conforming rim and pouring spout. Maker's mark partially visible on underside of body. From a sugar bowl and creamer set, DL*311709 and DL*311714.
Maker is Leonard, Reed & Barton of Taunton, MA. Founded by Gustavus Leonard, Henry F. Reed and Charles E. Barton as successor to Taunton Britannia Manufacturing Company in 1835; became Reed & Barton in 1840. Marked panel-sided coffee- and teapots matching sugar bowl DL*311709 and creamer DL*311714 are known.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1840
ID Number
DL.311714
catalog number
311714
accession number
64443

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