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.

Date: 1780s

Spoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1775
inscribed date
1783
ID Number
DL.383588
catalog number
383588
accession number
162866

Teapot

Pear-shaped or "Queen Anne" teapot on three cast hoof feet, its body engraved with a pseudo-armorial device consisting of the serif letters "A K" inside a crowned, clipped-corner, pointed bottom shield surmounted by a standing bird facing left and flanked by wrigglework flowers;
Description
Pear-shaped or "Queen Anne" teapot on three cast hoof feet, its body engraved with a pseudo-armorial device consisting of the serif letters "A K" inside a crowned, clipped-corner, pointed bottom shield surmounted by a standing bird facing left and flanked by wrigglework flowers; serif letters "D B" lightly engraved at upper left and right. Low-domed, hinged lid topped by spool-shaped knop; spurred, wooden bracket handle pinned into conical sockets; and plain, S-scroll spout with flat, oval lip. Body perforated at spout. Underside of flat bottom is stamped with a crowned "X" above maker's touch mark.
Maker is Frances Piggot of London, England; working 1736-1784.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1736-1784
ID Number
DL.71.0048
catalog number
71.0048
accession number
292444

Ladle

Old English type ladle with circular bowl and pointed downturned handle with midrib on back, bright cut pendant ovals on front, and"JMT" engraved in conjoined foliate script in the reserve; no shoulders. Swage-formed pointed drop on back of bowl.
Description
Old English type ladle with circular bowl and pointed downturned handle with midrib on back, bright cut pendant ovals on front, and"JMT" engraved in conjoined foliate script in the reserve; no shoulders. Swage-formed pointed drop on back of bowl. Back of handle is struck with a spreadwing shield-body eagle in a diamond and "D.V.VOORHIS" in raised serif letters in a rectangle, facing reverse directions.
Maker is Daniel Van Voorhis (1751-1824); working, New York, NY, circa 1772-1775; Philadelphia, PA, 1775-1782; Princeton, NJ, 1783-1784; New York, NY, 1784-1787; Bennington County, VT, 1787-1788; New York, NY, 1788-1803. Worked alone and in partnerships.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1782
ID Number
DL.383590
catalog number
383590
accession number
162866

Mug

Lidless tapered cylindrical tankard or mug engraved in script on front "The Gift of Jeremiah Powell Esq\r to the / First Church in North Yarmouth". Applied molded bands at slightly flared rim and base; flat bottom set in.
Description
Lidless tapered cylindrical tankard or mug engraved in script on front "The Gift of Jeremiah Powell Esq\r to the / First Church in North Yarmouth". Applied molded bands at slightly flared rim and base; flat bottom set in. Hollow S- and C-curve handle, square in section, with small upturned thumbrest above a concave indent at top face of handle. Centerpoint on bottom underside. No marks. One of six, DL*60.3902A-F.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1784
ID Number
DL.60.3902F
catalog number
60.3902F
accession number
226997

Teakettle

Onion-form teakettle with crooked gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears for the mushroom-shaped strap bail handle, rectangular in section; three D-section feet. Low-domed, molded cover with wire loop handle.
Description
Onion-form teakettle with crooked gooseneck spout and cast-in arched ears for the mushroom-shaped strap bail handle, rectangular in section; three D-section feet. Low-domed, molded cover with wire loop handle. Both pieces are hollow cast: cover has gate mark on top; kettle has horizontal and vertical seams on body and spout with a single gate mark on bottom exterior. No additional marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
18th century
ca 1770-1780
ID Number
1977.0275.02
catalog number
1977.0275.02
accession number
1977.0275

Plate

Molded-rim circular plate with plain, flat well; no foot ring. Partial raised serif letters "A" and "H" in serrated-edge surrounds at top face of rim. No touchmarks apparent.Currently not on view
Description
Molded-rim circular plate with plain, flat well; no foot ring. Partial raised serif letters "A" and "H" in serrated-edge surrounds at top face of rim. No touchmarks apparent.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1750 - ca 1786
ID Number
1986.0027.32
catalog number
1986.0027.32
accession number
1986.0027

Coffeepot

Raised, double-bellied, baluster or pear-shaped teapot with a double-domed, gadrooned-edge, hinged lid topped by a cast spiral-ribbed knop on a short pedestal base with a gadroon-banded, circular foot.
Description
Raised, double-bellied, baluster or pear-shaped teapot with a double-domed, gadrooned-edge, hinged lid topped by a cast spiral-ribbed knop on a short pedestal base with a gadroon-banded, circular foot. Body is engraved on opposite sides with "MB" in conjoined, shaded foliate script in a four-sided, ruffled C-scroll reserve and with the coat of arms of Berkeley inside an asymmetrical, C-scroll cartouche. S-curve spout is scrolled along back and has a shell, anthemion, and pendant drop on front. Spurred, S-curve handle is pinned into an upper socket with pendant shell and drop and a split-scroll lower socket with a curvilinear plate. Hole in body at spout. Underside of rounded bottom is struck twice "WH" in raised script in conforming surround above and below centerpoint (a large "X" scratched over both). Underside of foot engraved "MARY BEALE" in roman letters and "oz Dwt. / 39,,13". Part of an assembled service (coffeepot, sugar bowl and waste bowl), DL*239176, DL*239178, and DL*239179.
Maker is William Hollingshead of Philadelphia, PA; w. 1757-1785.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780-1785
ID Number
DL.239176
catalog number
239176
accession number
46611

Mug

Oversized, raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug engraved "JNB" on front in conjoined foliate script. Applied molded rim, rounded bottom, and cast stepped circular foot.
Description
Oversized, raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug engraved "JNB" on front in conjoined foliate script. Applied molded rim, rounded bottom, and cast stepped circular foot. Hollow, double C-scroll handle has a scrolled acanthus leaf on top, an upper terminal with conical strut at rim and a lower termin with flared strut and oval attachment. Struck once to left of handle below rim on exterior "W•H" in raised serif letters in a rounded-corner rectangle. No centerpoint.
Maker is William Homes Jr. (1742-1823) of Boston, MA; Homes Jr. apprenticed with his father, William Homes Sr., and became proprietor of his shop on Ann St. in 1763. Homes Sr. was the nephew of Benjamin Franklin.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1785
ID Number
DL.383523
catalog number
383523
accession number
162866

Porringer

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1780
ID Number
1986.0027.21
accession number
1986.0027
catalog number
1986.0027.21

Andiron

Flat scroll-top andiron with tapered rectangular shaft tenoned through squared, arched legs ending in flat, spade-shaped feet. Billet bar tenoned through upright. No marks. One of a pair, DL*68.0589A-B.Currently not on view
Description
Flat scroll-top andiron with tapered rectangular shaft tenoned through squared, arched legs ending in flat, spade-shaped feet. Billet bar tenoned through upright. No marks. One of a pair, DL*68.0589A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1700-1780
ID Number
DL.68.0589A
catalog number
68.0589A
accession number
277954

Coffeepot

Raised, double-bellied, baluster- or pear-shaped teapot with a domed and flared, hinged lid topped by a cast urn knop on a tall, flared pedestal base with circular foot; one side of body has an empty, wheelwork engraved, pointed-oval reserve with scrolls above and bowknot below.
Description
Raised, double-bellied, baluster- or pear-shaped teapot with a domed and flared, hinged lid topped by a cast urn knop on a tall, flared pedestal base with circular foot; one side of body has an empty, wheelwork engraved, pointed-oval reserve with scrolls above and bowknot below. Applied beading at rim of lid and outside edge of foot, and graduated beads on sides of cast, S-curve spout. Spurred, S-curve handle is pinned into a curved, cylindrical upper socket and scroll-ended lower socket with a diamond- or lozenge-shaped plate. Hole in body at spout. Outside of foot is struck twice "REVERE" in raised serif letters in a rectangle, both partial. Centerpunch on bottom underside.
The attribution of this teapot to Paul Revere, Jr. (1702/3-1758) is questionable.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1785
silversmith
Revere, Paul
ID Number
DL.383564
catalog number
383564
accession number
162866

Dish

Single-reeded circular dish with deep, rounded booge and flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring.
Description
Single-reeded circular dish with deep, rounded booge and flat well scored around perimeter; no foot ring. Well underside struck with six marks, twice with the lion-in-gateway touch mark of Joseph Danforth above four pseudo-hallmarks (left to right): illegible (initials "I•D"), lion's head erased facing left, Britannia seated, and dagger or sword pointing up, all in shaped shields.
Maker is Joseph Danforth (1758-1789) of Middletown, CT; apprenticed with his father, Thomas Danforth II (1731-1782), worked alone from 1780 to 1782, and then in partnership with his older brother Thomas Danforth III (1756-1840). His younger brother, Jonathan Danforth (1766-1820), probably apprenticed with him.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780-1788
1780-1782
ID Number
DL.300859.0012
catalog number
300859.0012
accession number
300859

Creamer

Raised circular urn-shape cream pitcher with high-loop, tapered strap handle on a flared or trumpet-shape pedestal atop a flat square base with applied sides.
Description
Raised circular urn-shape cream pitcher with high-loop, tapered strap handle on a flared or trumpet-shape pedestal atop a flat square base with applied sides. Front of body is engraved with a pointed shield from which spring wrigglework scrolls holding pendant swags of drapery and bright-cut leafy garlands; two crossed branches below. Applied beading at curved rim with wide pouring lip. Front side of base is struck "I•V" in raised roman letters in a wide shield, flanked by pseudo hallmarks of an eagle-in-tree motif and the letter "P", both in scalloped-top squares. Pedestal underside is scratched "oz / 7 10". No centerpunch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1789
ID Number
DL.383592
catalog number
383592
accession number
162866

Mug

Lidless tapered cylindrical tankard or mug engraved in script on front "The Gift of Jeremiah Powell Esq\r to the / First Church in North Yarmouth". Applied molded bands at slightly flared rim and base; flat bottom set in.
Description
Lidless tapered cylindrical tankard or mug engraved in script on front "The Gift of Jeremiah Powell Esq\r to the / First Church in North Yarmouth". Applied molded bands at slightly flared rim and base; flat bottom set in. Hollow S- and C-curve handle, square in section, with small upturned thumbrest above a concave indent at top face of handle. Centerpoint on bottom underside. No marks. One of six, DL*60.3902A-F.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1784
ID Number
DL.60.3902B
catalog number
60.3902B
accession number
226997

andiron

Gooseneck andiron with ball finial and rectangular shaft shaped at its concave shoulders and split at bottom into square, arched legs with tab feet. Billet bar tenoned through base of upright. No marks. Traces of black paint.
Description
Gooseneck andiron with ball finial and rectangular shaft shaped at its concave shoulders and split at bottom into square, arched legs with tab feet. Billet bar tenoned through base of upright. No marks. Traces of black paint. Upright and billet bar appear to have been broken and repaired in several places. One of a mismatched pair, 2014.0004.175A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1720-1780
ID Number
2014.0004.175B
accession number
2014.0004
catalog number
2014.0004.175B

Andiron

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1740 - 1780
ID Number
DL.388210B
catalog number
388210B
accession number
182022

Spoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775 - 1785
ID Number
DL.60.1127
catalog number
60.1127
accession number
70138

Worcester porcelain tea caddy (part of a service)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1785
ID Number
CE.P-850Fab
accession number
225282

"Stars and Tables" Overshot Coverlet, 1784

The weaver and original owner of this very complex, well worn, single-woven, linen, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet, dated 1784, are unknown. The letters “E M” and the date are woven into the coverlet on the lower right hand side, using a hand technique.
Description
The weaver and original owner of this very complex, well worn, single-woven, linen, cotton and wool, overshot coverlet, dated 1784, are unknown. The letters “E M” and the date are woven into the coverlet on the lower right hand side, using a hand technique. We do not know if
“E M” stands for name of the owner or the weaver. In the 18th century it was not unusual for textiles to be marked with the initials of the owner, but it was usually done with embroidery. The initials identified the coverlet as the woman's property. Women could own and inherit "moveable" property.
The overall patterns used in this coverlet are “Rose” and “Tables,” and there are two shades of indigo blue used in a band effect. The coverlet was woven in two sections, and then sewn together. The original size of the sections and the coverlet as a whole are unknown, as there are no original edges present. This coverlet was found in Massachusetts. In the18th century, a young woman might commission the weaving of a coverlet or receive one as a gift, and put it in her dowry (hope chest) saving it for use after marriage.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1784
maker
unknown
ID Number
1979.0723.01
accession number
1979.0723
catalog number
1979.0723.1

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown Va. Oct. 19th 1781

Color print of formal military surrounder ceremony.
Description
Color print of formal military surrounder ceremony. Mounted American and French officers in blue uniforms with gold braid form lines on right and left, flanking General Benjamin Lincoln (originally the figure was painted as Cornwallis) who is mounted on a white horse to receive the sword of General Cornwallis from General Charles O'Hara. Cornwallis was sick and not actually present for the surrender ceremony. General O'Hara, his second in command, and two other British officers wear red coats with gold braids. General George Washington is depicted in the background on the right, mounted on the right beside the American flag. This print was copied from the original painting by John Trumbull, who while not present for the 1781 surrender, was familiar with several eye witnesses and served under Washington.
Date made
1852
associated date
1781 10 19
depicted
Lincoln, Benjamin
Washington, George
O'Hara, Charles
referenced
Cornwallis, Charles
lithographer
Currier, Nathaniel
original artist
Trumbull, John
ID Number
DL.63.0180
catalog number
63.0180
accession number
242030

Cann (Mug)

Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug with scored, flared rim and rounded bottom on a cast, flared and molded circular foot; hollow, double C-scroll handle has a waterleaf on upper terminal and a split scroll lower terminal, both with short oval struts and attachments.
Description
Raised bulbous or bellied cann or mug with scored, flared rim and rounded bottom on a cast, flared and molded circular foot; hollow, double C-scroll handle has a waterleaf on upper terminal and a split scroll lower terminal, both with short oval struts and attachments. Front of body is engraved with a large crest of a collared owl on a heraldic wreath above "TMF" in conjoined scrolling script. Centerpunch on bottom underside. No other marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1760 - 1780
ID Number
DL.308963.01
catalog number
308963.01
accession number
308963

chair, side

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1780
1775 - 1825
date reupholstered
ca 1923
ID Number
DL.64.0039
catalog number
64.0039A
accession number
246243

Sundial

The Copp family of Stonington, Connecticut used this pewter sundial around 1785. The dial has three holes to mount the sundial horizontally, with the initials “NM” cast at the clocks’ “6” position.
Description
The Copp family of Stonington, Connecticut used this pewter sundial around 1785. The dial has three holes to mount the sundial horizontally, with the initials “NM” cast at the clocks’ “6” position. Accurately aligning the tip of the sundial’s gnomon to true north allows the gnomon’s shadow to fall on the hour of the dial plate. The NM is possibly Nathan Miller from Rhode Island, the son of founder Josiah Miller, whose name appears on several similar sundials of the era.
The Copp Collection contains a variety of household objects that the Copp family of Connecticut used from around 1700 until the mid-1800s. Part of the Puritan Great Migration from England to Boston, the family eventually made their home in New London County, Connecticut, where their textiles, clothes, utensils, ceramics, books, bibles, and letters provide a vivid picture of daily life. More of the collection from the Division of Home and Community Life can be viewed by searching accession number 28810.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1750
Associated Name
Copp Family
ID Number
DL.006505
accession number
28810
catalog number
6505

Archaeological Objects

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date spoon made
1730 - 1770
date blue-transferware sherds made
1815 - 1830
date tin-glazed ware made
1750 - 1780
date porcelain made
1785 - 1810
date pipe stems made
1750 - 1800
date faceted glass made
ca 1800
ID Number
DL.252318.0026
catalog number
252318.0026
accession number
252318

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