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: United States

South Sea Whale Fishery.

Color print of a whaling scene; one large whaling vessel in foreground and one in the background are anchored awaiting men in smaller boats who are attacking whales.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a whaling scene; one large whaling vessel in foreground and one in the background are anchored awaiting men in smaller boats who are attacking whales.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Baillie, James S.
ID Number
DL.60.3255
catalog number
60.3255

Detroit in 1820, with view of "Walk-in-the-Water."

Color print depicting a river with several small sailboats and a large steamship labeled "Walk in the Water" in the foreground. Far shore contains a small settlement.
Description (Brief)
Color print depicting a river with several small sailboats and a large steamship labeled "Walk in the Water" in the foreground. Far shore contains a small settlement.
Date made
n.d.
maker
Calvert Lithographing and Engraving Company
ID Number
DL.60.3796
catalog number
60.3796

The U.S. Steam Frigate "Mississippi" Com'dr S.S. Lee, in a Typoon

Black and white print of a frigate (Mississippi) almost totally swamped by high seas on her passage from Simoda, Japan to the Sandwich Islands on the 7th of October 1854.
Description (Brief)
Black and white print of a frigate (Mississippi) almost totally swamped by high seas on her passage from Simoda, Japan to the Sandwich Islands on the 7th of October 1854.
Date made
1854
maker
Brown, Eliphalet Jr.
Britton & Rey
original artist
Heine, W
ID Number
DL.60.3287
catalog number
60.3287

California Gold Diggers

Color print depicting a varied group of individuals along the banks of a river performing tasks related to gold mining; digging, sifting, washing, etc.
Description (Brief)
Color print depicting a varied group of individuals along the banks of a river performing tasks related to gold mining; digging, sifting, washing, etc.
Date made
n.d.
distributor
Ensign, Thayer and Company
maker
Kelloggs & Comstock
ID Number
DL.60.3829
catalog number
60.3829

Right whaling in Beheringsic Straits & Arctic Ocean with its Varieties.

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

cushion, chair

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date chairs made
ca 1810 - 1820
ID Number
DL.60.0282 [dup2]
catalog number
60.0282
accession number
227069

Skimmer

Large, shallow, circular skimmer attached with three rivets to a slender, cylindrical, downturned handle flattened into a flared and pointed end with pierced hole.
Description
Large, shallow, circular skimmer attached with three rivets to a slender, cylindrical, downturned handle flattened into a flared and pointed end with pierced hole. Bowl is perforated with small holes arranged into a circle around the center rivet with eight straight radiating arms and groups of four holes between them; turning marks visible on front and back of bowl. Front of handle struck incuse above hanging hole "W.BARTON" in roman letters.
Skimmer 1978.0939.006 and ladle 1978.0939.011 appear to be a pair. Both were possibly made by William Barton (1762-1849), who established foundries for making horse and sleigh bells in East Hampton, CT, in 1808, and in Cairo, NY, in 1826.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800 - 1830
ID Number
1978.0939.006
accession number
1978.0939
catalog number
1978.0939.006

Abandonment of the Whalers in the Arctic Ocean Sept 1871. Plate 2.

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

Abandonment of the Whalers in the Arctic Ocean Sept 1871. Plate 4.

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

Sperm Whaling with its Varieties

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

Sunny Side. The residence of the late Washington Irving near Tarrytown, N.Y.

Color print of a country estate with a river and sailboats in the background. Two gardeners are working on the lawn and in the left foreground is a man sitting on a bench with a dog at his feet.
Description (Brief)
Color print of a country estate with a river and sailboats in the background. Two gardeners are working on the lawn and in the left foreground is a man sitting on a bench with a dog at his feet. Sunnyside, waspurchased and renovated by Washington Irving.in 1835 and was his residence until his death in 1859. The home was purchased in 1947 by John D. Rocefeller and opened to the public. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Currier & Ives
ID Number
DL.60.3235
catalog number
60.3235

J. Fenimore Cooper

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

North Sea Whale Fishery.

Color print of a whaling scene; two large whalers are anchored amid floating ice. Men are attacking whales from smaller boats and ice. Seals?, walrus, narwhal, are on the ice.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print of a whaling scene; two large whalers are anchored amid floating ice. Men are attacking whales from smaller boats and ice. Seals?, walrus, narwhal, are on the ice.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
maker
Baillie, James S.
Clay, Edward Williams
ID Number
DL.60.3254
catalog number
60.3254

Abandonment of the Whalers in the Arctic Ocean Sept 1871. Plate 3.

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

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

Terrible Conflagration and Destruction of the Steam-boat "New Jersey,"

Color print of the steamship "New Jersey" in flames. Passengers are jumping off the ship and many are already in the water. The names of all on board are listed below the image in groupings: the dead {31}, the missing {30}, the saved {46}.
Description (Brief)
Color print of the steamship "New Jersey" in flames. Passengers are jumping off the ship and many are already in the water. The names of all on board are listed below the image in groupings: the dead {31}, the missing {30}, the saved {46}.
Date made
1856
maker
Pharazyn, A.
ID Number
DL.60.3301
catalog number
60.3301

Stoneware jar

The Remmey and Crolius families dominated the New York stoneware industry from the early 1700s through the early 1800s. Both families emigrated from Germany, bringing with them the stoneware traditions of their homeland.
Description
The Remmey and Crolius families dominated the New York stoneware industry from the early 1700s through the early 1800s. Both families emigrated from Germany, bringing with them the stoneware traditions of their homeland. Sometimes business associates, the two families also inter-married. Remmey family members went on to establish stoneware factories in Philadelphia and Baltimore, as well.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795-1830
maker
Remmey III, John
ID Number
1980.0614.363
accession number
1980.0614
catalog number
1980.0614.363

knife, dessert

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; cutlery, set, part of

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

Whitall Tatum Paperweight

In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter.
Description
In the 1700s, paperweights made from textured stone or bronze were part of the writer’s tool kit, which also included a quill pen and stand, inkpot, and blotter. By the mid-1800s, decorative paperweights produced by glassmakers in Europe and the United States became highly desired collectibles.
Decorative glass paperweights reflected the 19th-century taste for intricate, over-the-top designs. Until the spread of textiles colorized with synthetic dyes, ceramics and glass were among the few objects that added brilliant color to a 19th-century Victorian interior. The popularity of these paperweights in the 1800s testifies to the sustained cultural interest in hand craftsmanship during an age of rapid industrialization.
This paperweight is attributed to Whitall, Tatum & Company of Millville, New Jersey. The firm was formed in 1901 and employed first-rate craftsmen who created outstanding paperweights.
This pedestal paperweight features an opaque, rich yellow twelve-petal flower, freely suspended in a clear glass ball. The pointed center flower petals suggest that it is the work of glassmaker Emil Stanger.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905-1912
maker
Whitall, Tatum and Company
ID Number
CE.60.96
catalog number
60.96
accession number
211475

Artificial Apricot

Life-size yellow apricot with faint red blush.Currently not on view
Description
Life-size yellow apricot with faint red blush.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.26
catalog number
60.0252.26
accession number
67038

Andiron

Multiknopped and faceted andiron on spurred, inward-scrolling legs, each ending in a pair of cup feet; cast brass billet bar cover on stepped front of bar. Two-part upright, each part cast hollow in halves and seamed vertically.
Description
Multiknopped and faceted andiron on spurred, inward-scrolling legs, each ending in a pair of cup feet; cast brass billet bar cover on stepped front of bar. Two-part upright, each part cast hollow in halves and seamed vertically. All parts held together by an internal iron rod threaded at top and peened at bottom. No marks. One of a pair, CE/DL*63.1025A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1850
ID Number
DL.63.1025B
catalog number
63.1025B
accession number
246530

Summer-and-Winter coverlet;geometric c. 1790-1830

This blue and white, Summer-and-Winter coverlet features a block woven, geometric design throughout based on variations of “Snowball” and “Rose and Star” patterns. The coverlet has a “Pine Tree” variation border on three sides.
Description
This blue and white, Summer-and-Winter coverlet features a block woven, geometric design throughout based on variations of “Snowball” and “Rose and Star” patterns. The coverlet has a “Pine Tree” variation border on three sides. The border designs on geometric, block-woven coverlets are created from fractional reductions of the block pattern motifs. This coverlet uses two different block pattern designs. The block pattern repeat measures 5 inches by 5 inches. There is a relatively long, knotted applied fringe on two sides of coverlet. It is believed this fringe was added much later. One edge is unfinished, the other is hand hemmed. The coverlet was woven in two pieces and seamed up the middle with whip stitch. There is no information about who may have made this coverlet or where is originally was used. These patterns and style of coverlet could be found all along the East Coast and were woven by English, German, and Scots-Irish settlers. This coverlet was likely woven anytime between the years, 1790-1830 because of the use of mill-spun cotton yarn in the warp and weft.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
date made
c. 1790-1830
ID Number
1980.0376.01
accession number
1980.0376
catalog number
1980.0376.01

Overshot coverlet panels, Catalpa Flower; New York, first half 19th century

This overshot, indigo and white coverlet (now separated into two panels) is woven in the "Catalpa Flower" pattern. Overshot patterning is based on a float weave structure, where a supplementary weft yarn is added to create the pattern.
Description
This overshot, indigo and white coverlet (now separated into two panels) is woven in the "Catalpa Flower" pattern. Overshot patterning is based on a float weave structure, where a supplementary weft yarn is added to create the pattern. The yarn floats or shoots over the top of the plain weave ground cloth creating the pattern. The pattern is a reversible negative, meaning that the color combination is reversed on the opposite side. Overshot coverlets can be woven on simple four-shaft looms. They are usually associated with domestic production and many of them are attributed to female weavers. Professional male weavers also wove floatwork coverlets. Many overshot patterns have names; however, these names changed and varied due to time and location. According to the donor, this coverlet descended through the Van Meter family of New York and was likely woven in the first half of the nineteenth century by a female ancestor. The two coverlet panels would have been joined with a center seam. These panels were repurposed during the early 20th century Colonial Revival decorating period and used as portieres in the Van Meter home. Each of the two panels measures 75 inches by 35.25 inches.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
date made
1800-1850
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T14960A
catalog number
T14960.00S
T14960.A-S
accession number
286274
catalog number
T14960-B/S

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