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: Pennsylvania

Skewer

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1760 - 1820
ID Number
DL.388273G
catalog number
388273G
accession number
182022

Hot Water Heater Patent Model

Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 116,620) of a steam and hot water heater, made by Nathan Middleton and Stephen Morris of Philadelphia, PA, and patented on July 4, 1871. Painted black.
Description
Patent model (U.S. Patent No. 116,620) of a steam and hot water heater, made by Nathan Middleton and Stephen Morris of Philadelphia, PA, and patented on July 4, 1871. Painted black. Consists of a straight tapered, hexagonal boiler formed by six staves or compartments individually connected to the tank by six elbow pipes. Four circular holes on opposite side of tank receive pipes to radiators; single supply pipe at top corner of one side. No marks on object, but old darkened paper tags tied to purple (faded) ribbon are printed and handwritten with patent information and object numbers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871-07-04
patent date
1871-07-04
inventor
Middleton, Nathan
Morris, Stephen
ID Number
DL.251777
catalog number
251777
patent number
116,620
accession number
48890

compote

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
1979.0247.09ab
accession number
1979.0247
catalog number
1979.0247.09ab

Teakettle

Pit-bottom teakettle with faceted-top gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears above its rounded shoulder for the strap bail handle, flattened oval in section. Molded, swing-up, hinged lid with low-domed, circular center.
Description
Pit-bottom teakettle with faceted-top gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears above its rounded shoulder for the strap bail handle, flattened oval in section. Molded, swing-up, hinged lid with low-domed, circular center. Both pieces are hollow cast: body has a horizontal seam that extends to top of spout and single gate mark on bottom exterior; cover bordered by "LEIBRANDT & M'DOWELL PHILA" cast in raised serif letters.
Maker is Leibrandt & McDowell Stove Company of Philadelphia, PA.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after ca 1850
ca 1850-1870
ID Number
1982.0090.12
accession number
1982.0090
catalog number
1982.0090.12

Teakettle

Pit-bottom teakettle with bellied gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears on its high, rounded shoulder for the arched strap bail handle, concave in section; three button feet. Double-domed, swing-up, hinged lid.
Description
Pit-bottom teakettle with bellied gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears on its high, rounded shoulder for the arched strap bail handle, concave in section; three button feet. Double-domed, swing-up, hinged lid. Both pieces are hollow cast: body has a horizontal seam that extends to top of spout and a single gate mark and "FB" in raised serif letters on bottom underside; cover has cast-in mark "FRANCIS. BUCKWALTER. & CO." in raised sans serif letters.
Maker is Francis, Buckwalter & Co., Continental Stove Works, of Royersford, PA; in business, circa 1866-1872.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1866-1872
ID Number
DL.65.1338
catalog number
65.1338
accession number
259931

Dish

Small, single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Small, single-reeded circular plate with flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Underside struck near center with lion-rampant-in-circle touch mark of Thomas Danforth III, and scratched "CBX" to the right.
Maker is Thomas Danforth III (1756-1849) of Middletown and Stepney (Rocky Hill), CT; working 1777-1818. He opened shop in Philadelphia circa 1806/7 and was joined by fellow CT pewtersmith Blakeslee Barnes (or Blakslee Barns, 1781-1823) in circa 1807/9. Danforth returned permanently to CT around 1811.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1777-1818
ID Number
1986.0027.33
accession number
1986.0027
catalog number
1986.0027.33

Ladle

Old English type ladle with circular bowl and slightly pointed downturned handle with midrib on back and "WCW" engraved in conjoined foliate script on front; no shoulders. Swage-formed concentric drops containing a point facing up on back of bowl.
Description
Old English type ladle with circular bowl and slightly pointed downturned handle with midrib on back and "WCW" engraved in conjoined foliate script on front; no shoulders. Swage-formed concentric drops containing a point facing up on back of bowl. Struck once on back of handle "I DAVID" ("VID" conjoined) in raised serif letters in a rounded-corner rectangle.
Maker is John David Sr. (1736-1798) of Philadelphia, PA; working, circa 1755-1793. His son, John David Jr., took over his business in 1794.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1763-1777
ca 1780-1793
ID Number
DL.69.0185
catalog number
69.0185
accession number
261753

Tea Canister

Japanned oval canister with friction-fit, flat cover. Canister is painted with a wide, white band around top containing circular red fruits or flowers alternating with right-leaning, lobed, triangular green leaves; black veins and overstrokes in sets of three.
Description
Japanned oval canister with friction-fit, flat cover. Canister is painted with a wide, white band around top containing circular red fruits or flowers alternating with right-leaning, lobed, triangular green leaves; black veins and overstrokes in sets of three. Yellow dot-and-drop border below, penciling at base, and brushstroke groups or leaflets on shoulder and cover. Canister is made in four pieces, the collar and body have soft-soldered lapped seams; the rounded shoulder and flat bottom have folded edges. No marks. Decoration flaking; overall losses.
Attributed to the Pennsylvania Filley Tinshop of Philadelphia, PA, circa 1818-1853.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1820 - 1850
ID Number
DL.322631.0023
catalog number
322631.0023
accession number
322631

Reflector

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.817
catalog number
817
accession number
58456

Finished Lamp Font

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
est. 1899
1914
ID Number
CE.231
catalog number
231
accession number
57114

Albert Graeser 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 (Brief)
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 was made by Albert A. Graeser and features an enameled decoration of three joined rings along with two sprays of roses. The back is marked “Made by Albert Graeser, Pittsburgh, Pa.”
In 1892, Graeser patented a process for making advertising paperweights in which he sealed a image to the underside of a rectangular glass blank using an enamel-like glaze.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1900
maker
Graeser, Albert A.
ID Number
CE.60.133
catalog number
60.133
accession number
211475

TYBOY Model "B" The Electric Neckwear Presser

Electric neckwear presser consisting of a rectangular hot pad mounted on a slightly larger board and a separate, elongated trapezoidal piece of aluminum; both stored along with one sheet of printed directions in a pasteboard box featuring the product name on face and bottom end o
Description
Electric neckwear presser consisting of a rectangular hot pad mounted on a slightly larger board and a separate, elongated trapezoidal piece of aluminum; both stored along with one sheet of printed directions in a pasteboard box featuring the product name on face and bottom end of cover. Hot pad is covered with a natural color, plain weave cloth and backing board with a red, embossed leather-pattern cloth; black-and-yellow spiral-pattern, woven cloth-covered twisted cord with two-prong, circular plug extends from one end of pad. No marks on hot pad or aluminum tongue.
Maker is Hare Manufacturing Co. of Philadelphia, PA. Rene G. Hare of Ardmore, PA, received U.S. Patent No. 1,886,880 for his "Electric Heating Unit" on November 8, 1932; patent does not cover the entire neckwear pressing device, only the heating unit. Hare's original application was filed February 26, 1929, Serial No. 342,759; it was then divided and this application filed January 14, 1930, Serial No. 429,673.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
after 1932
ID Number
1977.1181.01
accession number
1977.1181
catalog number
1977.1181.01

Jacquard double-cloth Coverlet, Pennsylvania; 1840

According to the donor, John Riegel commissioned this coverlet in 1840, for his daughter, Eliza Riegel when she married Charles B. Daniel, one of the founders of Bethlehem Iron Co., which later became Bethlehem Steel.
Description
According to the donor, John Riegel commissioned this coverlet in 1840, for his daughter, Eliza Riegel when she married Charles B. Daniel, one of the founders of Bethlehem Iron Co., which later became Bethlehem Steel. The coverlet is made of cotton and wool, and is Jacquard double-woven. It features a design of lilies, stars, birds,
and trees, and is striped with red, white, and dark and light blue rows. The name "John Riegel" and the date "1840," appear in each of the lower corners.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1840
maker
unknown
ID Number
TE.T17895
catalog number
T17895.000
accession number
319093

Skewer

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1760 - 1820
ID Number
DL.388273D
catalog number
388273D
accession number
182022

Waste Bowl

Hemispherical bowl engraved "MB" in conjoined, shaded foliate script on a raised, short pedestal base with domed circular foot; repousse beads around everted rim and outside edge of foot. Gold washed interior. Centerpunch on underside of body; no other marks.
Description
Hemispherical bowl engraved "MB" in conjoined, shaded foliate script on a raised, short pedestal base with domed circular foot; repousse beads around everted rim and outside edge of foot. Gold washed interior. Centerpunch on underside of body; no other marks. Part of an assembled service (coffeepot, sugar bowl and waste bowl), DL*239176, DL*239178, and DL*239179.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1785
ID Number
DL.239179
catalog number
239179
accession number
46611

chair, side

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825 - 1850
ID Number
DL.312536.0001
catalog number
312536.0001
accession number
312536

Lamp Chimney

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
about 1914
ID Number
CE.216
catalog number
216
accession number
57114

Churn

Manually-operated, tabletop cylinder churn with a removable cast-steel crank and mortise-and-tenon joined paddle. The tin drum is nailed along its top edges to those on the rectangular wooden box, also of nailed construction, which has a wooden-knob-handled cover.
Description
Manually-operated, tabletop cylinder churn with a removable cast-steel crank and mortise-and-tenon joined paddle. The tin drum is nailed along its top edges to those on the rectangular wooden box, also of nailed construction, which has a wooden-knob-handled cover. Cast steel socket for crank is screwed to one end. Two bungholes, on one each end, open into the drum and the area between the drum and box; one hole has wooden plug. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th or early 20th century
ID Number
DL.251349.0174
catalog number
251349.0174
accession number
251349

Document

Rectangular piece of laid paper inscribed "Virginia Currency / L34.6.6 / J Steuart." Lower portion of watermark visible along right edge "[plow] / WORK & BE RICH".Currently not on view
Description
Rectangular piece of laid paper inscribed "Virginia Currency / L34.6.6 / J Steuart." Lower portion of watermark visible along right edge "[plow] / WORK & BE RICH".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775-1780
ID Number
DL.62.0538A
accession number
220760
catalog number
62.0538A

Jar of Clear Glass Rods

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1914
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.251ab
accession number
57114
catalog number
251ab

Ladle

Ladle with large, shallow, raised circular bowl or pan attached with four rivets to a straight handle with square shoulders, faceted center section and reverse-tapered upper half ending in a back-bent, scrolled-tip hook; handle front inset with a rectangular piece of copper engra
Description
Ladle with large, shallow, raised circular bowl or pan attached with four rivets to a straight handle with square shoulders, faceted center section and reverse-tapered upper half ending in a back-bent, scrolled-tip hook; handle front inset with a rectangular piece of copper engraved "AL jun:" in flecked and lowercase roman script. Rivets are hammered flat on front and domed on back. Centerpunch inside bowl. No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790 - 1800
ID Number
1978.0939.012
accession number
1978.0939
catalog number
1978.0939.012

Beaker

Handleless seamed cylindrical cup with straight tapered sides and applied molded rim and foot ring, both double reeded; flat bottom set in. Engraved in script on exterior "William C.P. Breckinridge / from his Grandmother / SBP".
Description
Handleless seamed cylindrical cup with straight tapered sides and applied molded rim and foot ring, both double reeded; flat bottom set in. Engraved in script on exterior "William C.P. Breckinridge / from his Grandmother / SBP". Bottom underside struck once with a shield-body, spreadwing eagle, head facing left, in a square above H. M\c/KEEN" in raised serif letters inside a sawtooth rectangle.
Maker is Henry McKeen of Philadelphia, PA; working, 1823-1850.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1837-1846
ID Number
DL.383994
catalog number
383994
accession number
172945

Emanuel Melly, Jacquard single woven Coverlet, Pennsylvania, 1838

Emanuel Meily wove this coverlet in 1838. The coverlet is red, white, blue, and green, and is made of cotton and wool. It features a center design of sunburst medallions with lily wreaths.
Description
Emanuel Meily wove this coverlet in 1838. The coverlet is red, white, blue, and green, and is made of cotton and wool. It features a center design of sunburst medallions with lily wreaths. This design is sometimes called “Stars and Lilies.” The lower two corners contain the name of the weaver, Emanuel Meily, his county, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and the date 1838. Emanuel Meily (about 1805—1869) was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and had his weaving business there. According to Clarita S. Anderson in her book, American Coverlets and Their Weavers, there are two Emanuel Meileys listed in the 1840 census of Lebanon Co. One was a 60 to 70- year-old head of household, (no occupation given) and the other was a 30-to-40-year-old head of household engaged in “manufactures and trades.” The 1850 census lists an Emanuel “Meiley “ as a blue dyer, and the 1860 census lists an Emanuel “Meiley” as a 45 year-old laborer with real estate and personal property.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1838
weaver
Meily, Emanuel
ID Number
TE.T16417
catalog number
T16417
accession number
304266

Picket

Single twisted square bar terminating in faceted square knops and plain straight ends with threaded noles. No marks.Maker is Keyser Brothers Iron Works, 4041 Ridge Ave. in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, 1928-1971.
Description
Single twisted square bar terminating in faceted square knops and plain straight ends with threaded noles. No marks.
Maker is Keyser Brothers Iron Works, 4041 Ridge Ave. in Germantown, Philadelphia, PA, 1928-1971. Run by James Moore Bryant Keyser (1902-1977) and master blacksmith Howard Keyser III (1904-1980). Specialized in residential and ecclesiastical ornamental wrought ironwork, including the High Altar Gates in the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The forge was housed in an 1850s stone industrial complex that was dismantled in 1971 (documented by HABS/HAER).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1928-1971
ID Number
DL.72.0013
catalog number
72.0013
accession number
299610

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