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: New York

Teakettle

Pit-bottom teakettle with bellied gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears above its high, rounded shoulder for the mushroom-shaped strap bail handle, concave in section; no feet. Removable, pivoting, double-stepped lid swings on bearing next to back ear.
Description
Pit-bottom teakettle with bellied gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears above its high, rounded shoulder for the mushroom-shaped strap bail handle, concave in section; no feet. Removable, pivoting, double-stepped lid swings on bearing next to back ear. Both pieces are hollow cast: body has a pronounced horizontal seam that extends to top of spout and a single gate mark and raised "8" on bottom exterior; cover bordered by "B & S. 272 PEARL ST.N.Y." and "PATENTED DEC.18.1866", both cast in raised serif letters.
"B & S." appears to stand for Benham & Stoutenborough, a housewares merchant and manufacturer at 272 Pearl Street, run by Darius Benham and Xenophon Stoutenborough. William Hailes of Albany, NY, received U.S. Patent No. 60,508 for his "mode of attaching covers to kettles, boilers, stoves, etc." on December 18, 1866.
Location
Currently not on view
date patented
1866-12-18
date made
ca 1870
patent date
1866-12-18
ID Number
1982.0090.17
accession number
1982.0090
catalog number
1982.0090.17

Teaspoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905 or later
patent date
1900-10-09
ID Number
DL.380491A
catalog number
380491A
accession number
153231

Oyster Plate

Porcelain factories responded to the American passion for oysters by designing special plates on which to serve the delicacy, accompanied by silver-plated forks also designed for the purpose.
Description
Porcelain factories responded to the American passion for oysters by designing special plates on which to serve the delicacy, accompanied by silver-plated forks also designed for the purpose. During the long and lavish dinners characteristic of evening entertainment among the wealthy on the East Coast in the 1870s and 1880s, guests were frequently served their first course on oyster plates such as these gilded examples produced by the Union Porcelain Works, in Greenpoint, New York, around 1881. American and European porcelain factories met increasing affluence and elaborate dining etiquette with an extensive range of items designed for specific foods and beverages. Oyster plates represent one such refinement in response to a newly acquired taste for the shellfish.
date made
About 1881
about 1881
maker
Union Porcelain Works
ID Number
CE.75.123E
catalog number
75.123E
accession number
317832

attr. Henry Goodrich; coverlet, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth; 1831; New York

This is a blue and white, double-cloth, Figured and Fancy coverlet features along fringe three sides, and a spread eagle lower border. The center design is variation of the “Double Rose” carpet medallion pattern with ivy leaf accents.
Description
This is a blue and white, double-cloth, Figured and Fancy coverlet features along fringe three sides, and a spread eagle lower border. The center design is variation of the “Double Rose” carpet medallion pattern with ivy leaf accents. The side borders display an interlocking “Double Flower” motif that is reminiscent of lotus flowers. The two lower corner blocks feature pairs of dogs and a woven inscription which reads, "1831 EAW/ Pompey." There is a four inch self-fringe on the lower edge and an applied fringe on the sides that is also four inches long. The coverlet was constructed of two panels that were woven as one length, cut, and seamed up the middle.
This coverlet was woven in Pompey, Onondaga County, New York in 1831. There has been some scholarly debate about who the Pompey weaver(s) may have been. At first scholars looked for a weaver with the last name Pompey, but they quickly realized the weaver was operating in the town of Pompey. There are extant dated coverlets in this style ranging from 1831-1836. There three coverlet weavers in Pompey at the time. Benjamin June and his son, Benjamin Jr. and Henry L. Goodrich. All three of these weavers could possibly be the maker of this and the other Pompey coverlets; however, the signed June family coverlets omit the town name from their designs, leaving Goodrich the most likely candidate. Federal census records list Henry as a resident of Rensselaer County, New York in 1830 and 1840, but occupation was not a recorded category in the early census. It is unclear when and why Henry spent time in Onondaga County and more research is needed to unravel the mystery and confirm or deny the attribution of these coverlets to Goodrich. The style of this coverlet is reflective the organization, arrangement, and style of the earlier Figured and Fancy coverlets foun
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1831
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T18211
catalog number
T18211.000
accession number
1977.0101

The Lover's Walk

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 colored print is a full length portrait of man and woman standing together outdoors holding hands, and gazing intently at each other. The man is wearing a large hat with plume, long, flowing cape and bows at the bottom of his pants. The woman is wearing an ankle length dress with lace, ruffles and a bow.
John Cameron (ca1828-1876) was a lithographer and a colorist for Nathaniel Currier and Currier & Ives. He is most known for his horse prints. A very heavy drinker and workaholic, he was quite prolific. In addition to his work with Currier & Ives, he worked with Henry Lawrence for the firm Lawerence & Cameron. He also was a principal in the firm Cameron & Walsh.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1859
lithographer
J. Cameron and Company
graphic artist
Cameron, John
ID Number
DL.60.2244
catalog number
60.2244
accession number
228146

What Is Love ?

Black and white print of a black man and woman who carry burlap bags of trash? lean across a trash barrel to kiss. Their clothes are in tatters. Two little boys observe from a doorway. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a black man and woman who carry burlap bags of trash? lean across a trash barrel to kiss. Their clothes are in tatters. Two little boys observe from a doorway. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1875
maker
Vance, Parsloe and Company
ID Number
DL.60.3437
catalog number
60.3437

Coffeepot

Baluster- or pear-shaped, octagonal panel-sided coffeepot with conforming, bell-shaped, hinged lid and straight tapered foot; four panels are engraved with flowers and C scrolls while the two center panels have identical reserves, one bearing the monogram "MAW" in conjoined folia
Description
Baluster- or pear-shaped, octagonal panel-sided coffeepot with conforming, bell-shaped, hinged lid and straight tapered foot; four panels are engraved with flowers and C scrolls while the two center panels have identical reserves, one bearing the monogram "MAW" in conjoined foliate script and the other a crest of a left-facing bird atop a coronet and heraldic wreath with leaves. Spurred and faceted, S-curve handle pinned into thin insulators and conforming sockets. Faceted, S curve spout engraved on belly. Body perforated at spout. Bottom underside struck "TIFFANY & C\o." and "550 BROADWAY.N-Y" encircling "7833", "G & W" stamped twice, "ENGLISH STERLING / 925-1000", and "13", all in incuse serif letters.
Made by Grosjean & Woodward for Tiffany & Company of New York, NY, 1854-1865.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1854 - 1865
owner; user
Washington, Mary Anne Hammond
ID Number
DL.60.1000
catalog number
60.1000
accession number
71656

Winter Pleasure in the Country

Colored print of a one-horse sleigh and a two-horse sleigh driving down a snowy country road. They appear to be racing. A building appears in the background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a one-horse sleigh and a two-horse sleigh driving down a snowy country road. They appear to be racing. A building appears in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1865
maker
Kimmel and Forster
ID Number
DL.60.2645
catalog number
60.2645
accession number
228146

My Protector

Colored print of a little boy wearing eyelet-trimmed shorts, vest and jacket. He holds the leash of a brown and white dog that is seated next to him. Toys are scattered on the rug at his feet and on a table in background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a little boy wearing eyelet-trimmed shorts, vest and jacket. He holds the leash of a brown and white dog that is seated next to him. Toys are scattered on the rug at his feet and on a table in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1874
maker
Schile, Henry
ID Number
DL.60.2463
catalog number
60.2463
accession number
228146

Untitled (Park Setting)

Black and white print of a cobblestone road and sidewalk beside a park. Buildings can be seen in the background through the bare trees in the park. A lamplight on a ladder against a lamp post is visible in the lower left. Pedestrians stroll in the park.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a cobblestone road and sidewalk beside a park. Buildings can be seen in the background through the bare trees in the park. A lamplight on a ladder against a lamp post is visible in the lower left. Pedestrians stroll in the park.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Imbert and Company
ID Number
DL.60.3692
catalog number
60.3692

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

Gas Stove

Single-burner gas stove and heater featuring a removable, openwork, domed crown with scroll finial; a vertical, cylindrical shell or casing with a piercework band between two raised beads; and an open-scrollwork base on three, cabriole, strapwork-decorated legs with snake feet; t
Description
Single-burner gas stove and heater featuring a removable, openwork, domed crown with scroll finial; a vertical, cylindrical shell or casing with a piercework band between two raised beads; and an open-scrollwork base on three, cabriole, strapwork-decorated legs with snake feet; the threaded connector for the supply valve extends out above the back foot. Hole for lighting the pilot light is to left of valve and has a screwed-on, scrolled-edge plaque with "N\o" and "88" in raised letters at its sides.
One of three gas stoves with history of use in Washington, D.C., DL*60.0212A-C. Crowns on DL*60.212 A and B are identical.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.60.0212B
catalog number
60.0212B
accession number
226327

bowl, soup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.75.130N
catalog number
75.130N
accession number
317832

vase

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
about 1877
ID Number
CE.75.117
catalog number
75.117
accession number
317832

Figured and Fancy coverlet; double-cloth; 1844; New York

This unsigned, blue & white, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth coverlet has no fringe. There is a large stylized ovular central medallion made up of flowering baskets and scrolling foliage. Beyond this are scattered flowers.
Description
This unsigned, blue & white, Figured and Fancy, double-cloth coverlet has no fringe. There is a large stylized ovular central medallion made up of flowering baskets and scrolling foliage. Beyond this are scattered flowers. There is a double border around four sides of the coverlet. The innermost border is composed of similar flowering baskets and foliate scrollwork. The outermost border contains the date, “1844” and is made up of stylized floral designs and peacock feather eyes. The designs are similar to those used by New York weaver, Ira Hadsell. However, Hadsell usually signed his work. According to the donor, this coverlet was made for her great-grandmother near Syracuse, New York.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1844
ID Number
TE.T6714
catalog number
T06714.000
accession number
111910

plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.75.130Q
catalog number
75.130Q
accession number
317832

Rip Van Winkle

Rip Van Winkle, a short story by celebrated American author Washington Irving, was first published in 1819 without illustrations in “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” Best known for his popular stories of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Irving achieved acc
Description
Rip Van Winkle, a short story by celebrated American author Washington Irving, was first published in 1819 without illustrations in “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” Best known for his popular stories of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Irving achieved acclaim in Europe and the U.S. over the course of his successful writing career. Rip Van Winkle was included in “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent” while Irving was living in Europe. Thus, he was one of the earliest American authors to survive merely on his writing. Irving’s stories have remained an emblem of American culture as they were some of the first short stories that aimed to entertain rather than educate. The two best known Irving stories- Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow have inspired artists to create beautiful illustrations like the one included in this print.
The gothic story Rip Van Winkle tells of an ordinary 19th century man who lives in the Dutch Kaatskills (currently the Catskills of New York). He struggles with his nagging wife, Dame Van Winkle, and in an effort to escape her on an especially bad day, he flees to the woods with his dog and his gun. While in the woods, he meets a stranger who is a representation of the spirits of Hendrick Hudson, and is instructed to serve these spirits a precious drink. Tempted, he tries the drink as well and ultimately becomes so drunk that he falls into a deep sleep. When he wakes, he thinks that it is merely the next morning, but it becomes clear that 20 years have passed. He is now an old widow with Loyalist sentiments that show he is living in the past, prior to the American Revolution. The story ends with Rip Van Winkle living a peaceful life in the home of his daughter, finally free from his wife’s nagging.
This print shows Rip Van Winkle sitting among four children of the village. Two of them are boys, while the other two appear to be girls, and they all gather around Rip Van Winkle who is balancing a toy sailboat in a tub of water. Two of the boys lie on the bench beside Rip Van Winkle while a young girl lies on his back. Also pictured are some animals, including Rip Van Winkle’s dog Woof, a cat curled up underneath the bench, and some type of bird with her chicks. The setting appears to be in some type of open or lean-to shed as there are tools leaning against the wall and the building is open to the elements, showing the forest and farmland of the region. At this point of the story, Rip Van Winkle is described as a man who was popular among the village children; he would spend time teaching them how to fly kites or recounting ghost stories with them gathered round.
Sarony, Major, & Knapp was one of the largest lithographic firms at the end of the 19th and the early of the 20th centuries. However, before it achieved this success it started out small in 1843 when Napoleon Sarony and James P. Major joined together to start a business. Later in 1857, Joseph F. Knapp joined the company making it Sarony, Major, & Knapp. At the time that this was printed, Knapp was not a part of the business, so it was just Sarony & Major.
Felix O. C. Darley (1822-1888), the artist behind the twelve best-known illustrations for The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow, is considered one of America’s best illustrators. The publisher was the American Art Union, (1839-1857) a subscription organization created to educate the public about American art and artists while providing support for American artists. For $5.00 members would receive admissions to the gallery showing, a yearly report, and an engraving of an original work, as well as any benefits each chapter might provide. Two special editions of the story, each with a set of six of Darley’s illustrations were published; the special edition including this illustration was published in 1850. This print is bound with five others at the back of a rebound book. The cover is of the earlier Rip Van Winkle edition published for the American Art Union but the title page and text are of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1848
maker
Sarony & Major
Darley, Felix Octavius Carr
ID Number
DL.60.2443
catalog number
60.2443
accession number
228146

Pastry Server (Pie Knife)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1870 - 1875
design patent date
1870-11-15
maker
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
DL.61.0330
catalog number
61.0330
accession number
200122

Andiron

Knife-blade andiron with brass urn and acorn finial and an applied brass plinth block on low-arched legs ending in penny feet. Hollow-cast; vertically-seamed finial and thin, square support block are peened on top of the upright, which is tenoned through the legs.
Description
Knife-blade andiron with brass urn and acorn finial and an applied brass plinth block on low-arched legs ending in penny feet. Hollow-cast; vertically-seamed finial and thin, square support block are peened on top of the upright, which is tenoned through the legs. Stepped billet bar tenoned into plinth of upright. Plinth block stamped at front bottom center "I·C" in incuse serif letters. One of a pair, 1978.0939.248-.249.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795 - 1799
ID Number
1978.0939.248
catalog number
1978.0939.248
accession number
1978.0939

platter

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.75.130AM
catalog number
75.130AM
accession number
317832

cup

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
CE.75.130BU
catalog number
75.130BU
accession number
317832

Teapot

Raised circular teapot with double-bellied lower body engraved "SML" in flecked foliate script on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base. Flattened bulbous upper body and hinged lid, which is topped by a cast spherical cluster of fruits and flowers.
Description
Raised circular teapot with double-bellied lower body engraved "SML" in flecked foliate script on a domed and stepped circular pedestal base. Flattened bulbous upper body and hinged lid, which is topped by a cast spherical cluster of fruits and flowers. Cast convex rims of pairs of cornucopias springing from shells at shoulder and top of pedestal; die-rolled bands of matching decoration at opening and base. Hollow S-curve handle sprouts from waterleaf volutes and is pinned into ivory insulators. S-curve spout has a scrolled waterleaf on top and anthemion on belly. Body perforated at spout. Underside of rounded bottom struck above centerpunch "N.J.BOGERT" in raised roman letters in a rectangle. From a four-piece coffee and tea service, 1985.0962.1-.4.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1830
maker
Bogert, Nicholas J.
ID Number
1985.0962.2
accession number
1985.0962
catalog number
1985.962.2

1840 - 1860 "Pineapple" Quilt

The pineapple motif, often associated with hospitality, was pieced-and-appliqued on sixteen 13-inch white blocks for this mid-19th century quilt. The blocks are framed by appliqued swags with small pineapples and buds, also of orange and green cottons.
Description
The pineapple motif, often associated with hospitality, was pieced-and-appliqued on sixteen 13-inch white blocks for this mid-19th century quilt. The blocks are framed by appliqued swags with small pineapples and buds, also of orange and green cottons. According to family information, it was made by the great-great-great aunt of the donor, unfortunately no name was given.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840-1860
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T12694
accession number
237884
catalog number
T12694

Executive Mercy and the Bambers

This 1838 print depicts Governor of New York, Democrat, William L. Marcy seated on a throne with his foot on the U.S. Constitution handing a warrant for the arrest of two Irish citizens to British Consul, Buchanan. The two Irish citizens are father and son, John Bamber Sr.
Description (Brief)
This 1838 print depicts Governor of New York, Democrat, William L. Marcy seated on a throne with his foot on the U.S. Constitution handing a warrant for the arrest of two Irish citizens to British Consul, Buchanan. The two Irish citizens are father and son, John Bamber Sr. and James Bamber, accused of killing an Irish constable. They escaped Ireland to seek asylum in the United States, but Marcy decided to return them to Great Britain for trial. To the right of Marcy is Recorder of the City of New York, Richard Riker, who is holding a “Writ of Habeas Corpus” and stating that “the Constitution and laws of the United States will protect the adopted citizen!!” Riker was sympathetic to the Whig Party and against the pro-immigration Tammany Hall faction of the Democratic Party that supported Marcy, so his protest represents the Whig’s changing stance towards Irish immigrants in the 1838 gubernatorial race. The Irish had long been ignored by the Whig party, but Whig candidate, William Seward along with political boss, Thurlow Weed mobilized new Irish immigrants who hadn’t been indoctrinated into the Tammany Hall political machine to secure votes for the Whigs. The Irish were previously only tapped by the Tammany Hall Democrats, so the Whigs entering the scene marked an important moment in New York political history. Marcy ultimately denied the Bamber’s trial and sent them back to Ireland, angering both the city’s large Irish population and Whig faction. Marcy lost the election to Seward, and this decision can be pointed to as one of the reasons why.
The lithographer of this print is Edward Williams Clay (1799-1857). Clay was a caricaturist, engraver, lithographer, and etcher, as well as a portrait painter. Before his career as an artist, Clay was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar, but quickly left to pursue art in New York City. After losing his eyesight he retired from art and held minor office in Delaware before his death in December of 1857.
The publisher of this print is Henry R. Robinson (1827-1877). Robinson was active in New York, and had a store to sell his prints. In 1842, he was arrested for selling obscene pictures and books leading to the September 28, 1842 court case, People vs H. R. Robinson found in the District Attorney Indictment Papers, Municipal Archives. He was politically affiliated with the anti-Jackson Whig party which was made obvious by the wig silhouette used in 1838 as an advertising logo for his shop.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
depicted
Marcy, William L.
Acker, Jacob
Ricker, Richard
Bamber, John
Bamber, James
maker
Clay, Edward Williams
Robinson, Henry R.
ID Number
DL.60.3339
catalog number
60.3339

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