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.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Enoch Wood and Sons
ID Number
CE.62.885A
catalog number
62.885A
accession number
171126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Edge, Malkin and Company
ID Number
CE.62.946K
catalog number
62.946K
accession number
171126
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 77,702) of a two-pot, vegetable steamer or cooker, made by Heinrich A. Zopff of Milwaukee, WI, and patented on May 5, 1868.
Description
Full-size patent model (U.S. Patent No. 77,702) of a two-pot, vegetable steamer or cooker, made by Heinrich A. Zopff of Milwaukee, WI, and patented on May 5, 1868. The upper pot is double-walled with a perforated liner and covered conical bottom for catching the steam, while the lower pot has a copper pit bottom. Both are wire-rimmed with two, horizontal, arched strap handles and vertical folded seams. Concave cover has an arched strap handle, folded edge, and soft-soldered lapped-seam flange. Brass oval metal tag on upper pot is engraved in script "H.A. Zopff / Milwaukee / Wisconsin". Two darkened paper tags tied to one handle with red or purple (faded) wove ribbon and white string are printed and handwritten with the patent information.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1868
patent date
1868-05-05
ID Number
1989.0066.08
catalog number
1989.0066.08
accession number
1989.0066
patent number
77702
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and circular domed foot; gallon size. Two pairs of thick and thin incised lines at shoulder; line at seam. Tapered, S-scroll handle with ridged and tongued thumbrest and lower bud terminal attached above seam.
Description
Lidless bulbous or bellied measure with a beaded, galleried rim and circular domed foot; gallon size. Two pairs of thick and thin incised lines at shoulder; line at seam. Tapered, S-scroll handle with ridged and tongued thumbrest and lower bud terminal attached above seam. Rim exterior stamped to right of handle "1 (overstruck) GALLON" and "IMPERIAL", both in raised serif letters inside serrated rectangles, and to left of handle with a tower over the raised serif letters "A.B.D", all in a rectangle, possibly a verification mark for Aberdeen.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820-1870
ID Number
DL.67.0131
catalog number
67.0131
accession number
250853
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Meigh, Charles
ID Number
CE.62.949M
catalog number
62.949M
accession number
171126
This brass kettle was manufactured during the mid-1800s. Kettles were sought-after cookware pieces that had a high value due to their usability and versatility. The Hudson Bay Company traded metal goods like this kettle to Native Americans in return for beaver pelts.
Description
This brass kettle was manufactured during the mid-1800s. Kettles were sought-after cookware pieces that had a high value due to their usability and versatility. The Hudson Bay Company traded metal goods like this kettle to Native Americans in return for beaver pelts. In the early 18th century one beaver belt could be exchanged for one 3-quart brass kettle, by the early 19th century that price had risen to around 6 beaver pelts per kettle. Metal goods were prized by traders—after a kettle could no longer be used to cook, it was repurposed by into projectile points or knives
ID Number
DL.017936
catalog number
017936
Plain, mauve-colored, slightly swelled or convex-sided cylindrical ring. No monogram. No marks.Currently not on view
Description
Plain, mauve-colored, slightly swelled or convex-sided cylindrical ring. No monogram. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1920 - 1930
ID Number
DL.314637.0038
catalog number
314637.00038
accession number
314637
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca. 1820
ID Number
CE.P-576Fab
catalog number
P-576Fab
accession number
225282
(untitled) by Max Baur, gelatin silver print.Currently not on view
Description
(untitled) by Max Baur, gelatin silver print.
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Baur, Max
ID Number
2013.0327.0130
catalog number
2013.0327.0130
accession number
2013.0327
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Stevenson & Williams
ID Number
CE.62.974O
catalog number
62.974O
accession number
171126
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1915
maker
Macbeth-Evans Glass Company
ID Number
CE.888
catalog number
888
accession number
58571
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.Currently not on view
Description
Flat, hourglass-shaped or incurved rectangular tray with applied cast rim of scrolling flowers and leaves on its raised edge. Tulip-shaped flower on leafy stem engraved at ends of well. No foot or base. No marks. From snuffer and tray set, DL*60.0975A-B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
1860 - 1910
ID Number
DL.60.0975B
catalog number
60.0975B
accession number
229362
Bristol Low or West Country measure; quarter gill size. Conical or ovoid body with molded neck and incised line at seam; circular, everted rim with flared, molded lip; molded, slightly flared foot.
Description
Bristol Low or West Country measure; quarter gill size. Conical or ovoid body with molded neck and incised line at seam; circular, everted rim with flared, molded lip; molded, slightly flared foot. Tapered, D- or ear-shaped handle has an arched thumbrest; upper bud terminal with oval attachment just below neck; flat lower terminal attached above seam. Illegible mark on rim interior. Rim exterior stamped below spout "I F G". Three faint stamps on bottom outside, one illegible to left of a crowned harp in shield and a seated female figure (Britannia or Hibernia) in shield.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1745-1845
ID Number
DL.67.0129
catalog number
67.0129
accession number
250853
Small, horizontally-seamed pitcher with an inset, V-shaped spout covered by a rounded, hinged lid with double-scroll knop and a tapered strap handle soft-soldered to body at rim and near middle. Lid connects to handle by a short triangular tab.
Description
Small, horizontally-seamed pitcher with an inset, V-shaped spout covered by a rounded, hinged lid with double-scroll knop and a tapered strap handle soft-soldered to body at rim and near middle. Lid connects to handle by a short triangular tab. Body is made from two truncated cylinders with vertical folded seams joined at their wide ends; flat bottom with folded edge. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
DL.257491.0004
catalog number
257491.0004
accession number
257491
Circular salt with a molded rim, gilt-washed hemispherical bowl, and four cast legs with quadruple-padded knees and triple-padded feet. Underside of rounded bottom struck "TIFFANY, YOUNG & ELLIS" and "J.C.M.", both in incuse serif letters placed above and below centerpoint.
Description
Circular salt with a molded rim, gilt-washed hemispherical bowl, and four cast legs with quadruple-padded knees and triple-padded feet. Underside of rounded bottom struck "TIFFANY, YOUNG & ELLIS" and "J.C.M.", both in incuse serif letters placed above and below centerpoint. One of two salts, DL*300503A-B.
Made by the John C. Moore Co. for Tiffany, Young & Ellis, both of New York, NY, 1848-1852.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1848-1852
ID Number
DL.300503B
catalog number
300503B
accession number
61510
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
Gilt metal bar cufflink with blue- and white-enameled Cs on the face of the oval front, a curved post, and a spherical back with scrolled fylfot. No marks. Not a pair with DL*220760.010B.Currently not on view
Description
Gilt metal bar cufflink with blue- and white-enameled Cs on the face of the oval front, a curved post, and a spherical back with scrolled fylfot. No marks. Not a pair with DL*220760.010B.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.220760.010A
accession number
220760
catalog number
220760.010A
Bulging, circular body with plain rim, flat bottom and open-ended, tapered tubular handle fitted over and double-riveted through an integrally cast extension; white enameled interior.
Description
Bulging, circular body with plain rim, flat bottom and open-ended, tapered tubular handle fitted over and double-riveted through an integrally cast extension; white enameled interior. Hollow cast with seam around middle and single gate mark at center of bottom underside; cast-in marks "MARIETTA PA / M H & E C\o" and "5 QTS" in incuse sans serif letters at perimeter on underside. No cover.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
ID Number
DL.64.0939
catalog number
64.0939
accession number
253789
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
early nineteenth century
ID Number
CE.P-97ab
catalog number
P-97ab
accession number
225282
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date designed
1954
date made
c.1954
date produced
ca. 1960
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Gailstyn Company
ID Number
1992.0257.11D
catalog number
1992.0257.11D
accession number
1992.0257
Small, square, wire-rimmed baking pan with scrolled tab handles slipped through slots on two sides. No marks.Currently not on view
Description
Small, square, wire-rimmed baking pan with scrolled tab handles slipped through slots on two sides. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1890-1920
ID Number
DL.314637.2445
catalog number
314637.02445
accession number
314637
Knife-blade andiron with brass urn and acorn finial on and 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 on and 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. Billet bar tenoned through plinth of upright. No marks. One of a pair, 1978.0939.246-.247.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1790 - 1800
ID Number
1978.0939.246
accession number
1978.0939
catalog number
1978.0939.246
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel.
Description
Dinner fork, one of a set of six (1986.0531.09-.14) that match a set of six dinner knives (1986.0531.03-.08)
Two-tined fork with baluster stem. Tines, stem, and tang are one piece of tin-plated steel. Bone scales are riveted to the top and bottom of the tang with brass pins to form a tapered block handle with chamfered edges and corners and a blunt butt. Central brass pin on front is larger than the other two. Metal is discolored, scratched and has some rust spots. Much of the tin is worn off. Bone is yellowed and crazed, cracked and chipped around edges and pulling away from the tang.
Underside of baluster is stamped: “STEEL”
Blades of matching knives are stamped: “L . BOOTH/SHEFFIELD”
Maker is possibly L[uke] Booth, active in Sheffield, England in the early 19th century until his death in 1855.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820- 1840
ID Number
1986.0531.012
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.012
Variation of Picardie Type I lidded and spouted, tall conical flagon or pichet with molded rim and base, convex grooved shell thumb piece, and flat-top, cyma-curved, pouted lid. Strap handle with ridged thumbrest and short square terminal; five-knuckle hinge.
Description
Variation of Picardie Type I lidded and spouted, tall conical flagon or pichet with molded rim and base, convex grooved shell thumb piece, and flat-top, cyma-curved, pouted lid. Strap handle with ridged thumbrest and short square terminal; five-knuckle hinge. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
DL.67.0292
catalog number
67.0292
accession number
250853

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