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.

knife blade

Five piece demonstration set for dinner knife blades (1986.531.240A-E).
Description
Five piece demonstration set for dinner knife blades (1986.531.240A-E). Set shows the sequence of producing a dinner knife blade from raw material into a refined blade with tang.
Finished blade is stamped: “ENCORE”/THOMAS TURNER & Co./CUTLERS TO HIS MAJESTY/HYGIENIC STAINLESS”
Maker is Thomas Turner & Company, Sheffield, England 1802-1932. The “Encore” line was introduced in 1805. This mark was in use after 1901.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1920
ID Number
1986.0531.240C
accession number
1986.0531
catalog number
1986.0531.240C

Flagon

Northern French or Flemish type lidded and spouted pear-shape or baluster flagon on an applied flared base. Molded lid is topped by a pimple knop and covers the inset, curved spout.
Description
Northern French or Flemish type lidded and spouted pear-shape or baluster flagon on an applied flared base. Molded lid is topped by a pimple knop and covers the inset, curved spout. Plain strap handle has a convex double shell thumb piece and short square terminal; five-knuckle hinge. Bottom underside struck with two touchmarks, the raised serif letters "C•D" in a crown over a Tudor rose and a sawtooth-bordered horizontal oval with a brimmed hat against two crossed objects over the raised serif letters "C•D".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
17th century
ID Number
DL.67.0272
catalog number
67.0272
accession number
250853

Pitcher

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Mayer, Thomas
ID Number
CE.62.920B
catalog number
62.920B
accession number
171126

Coffeepot

Oval baluster-shaped coffeepot with domed oval, hinged lid topped by a cast oval medallion knop on a flared oval pedestal base; lower body is engraved on one side with a lengthy inscription presenting service from "The Parish of Whittingham & Neighbourhood" to "Mr.
Description
Oval baluster-shaped coffeepot with domed oval, hinged lid topped by a cast oval medallion knop on a flared oval pedestal base; lower body is engraved on one side with a lengthy inscription presenting service from "The Parish of Whittingham & Neighbourhood" to "Mr. Joshua Crea" for his "Services as their Surgeon". Applied cast gadrooning punctuated by acanthus-framed shells and anthemions is at edge of stepped-ogee shoulder atop the seamed, incurved neck; ribbing around base. Spurred acanthus-topped, ear-shaped handle, rectangular in section, is pinned into thin insulators with an acanthus volute upper socket and tapered rectangular lower socket. Bellied S-curve spout has flat inside face and D-shaped, cyma-notched lip. Body perforated at spout. Six hallmarks are struck to right of handle. Part of a seven-piece service (including a padded urn cover or cozy), DL*66.0537A-G.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1818 - 1819
presentation date
1819-01-01
ID Number
DL.66.0537B
catalog number
66.0537B
accession number
265238

Celluloid Rattle

A rattle in the shape of an ovoid sphere, made of celluloid. One half of the sphere is cream and the other half is peach. A han-painted image of a child decorates one half.
Description
A rattle in the shape of an ovoid sphere, made of celluloid. One half of the sphere is cream and the other half is peach. A han-painted image of a child decorates one half. The two halves are fitted tightly together and given extra strength by means of a ribbon that is woven around the seam by means of several holes drilled in the sphere. A celluloid ring is attached to the end of the ribbon. A metal bell is inside the sphere. There are no maker's marks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2006.0098.1483
catalog number
2006.0098.1483
accession number
2006.0098

Teaspoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1846
ca 1840 - 1846
ID Number
DL.64.0514A
catalog number
64.0514A
accession number
251849

Plate

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
James & Ralph Clews
ID Number
CE.62.906P
catalog number
62.906P
accession number
171126

Bullet Mold

Folding or "V" pattern gang bullet mold with 17 cavities for four sizes of musket balls on one side and a row of buckshot on the other; registration hole on left side of handle. Peened iron hinge pin. No marks.Currently not on view
Description
Folding or "V" pattern gang bullet mold with 17 cavities for four sizes of musket balls on one side and a row of buckshot on the other; registration hole on left side of handle. Peened iron hinge pin. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1750 - 1775
ID Number
1978.0939.022
accession number
1978.0939
catalog number
1978.0939.022

Ceramic Casserole and Lid

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1950 - 1959
1950 - 1959
date produced
ca. 1950
associated dates
1992 06 02 / 1992 06 02
designer
Kogan, Belle
maker
Kogan, Belle
ID Number
1992.0257.12.ab
accession number
1992.0257
catalog number
1992.0257.12ab

Tea Strainer

Strainer made of flat wire woven in imitation of a shallow wicker basket, slightly oval in shape. Suspended from a single-loop hairpin spring with everted ends that is wound through a small twisted loop at center of the wire bail handle. No marks.
Description
Strainer made of flat wire woven in imitation of a shallow wicker basket, slightly oval in shape. Suspended from a single-loop hairpin spring with everted ends that is wound through a small twisted loop at center of the wire bail handle. No marks. Possibly parcel-gilt or gold washed originally. Accompanies four-piece tea service, DL*387944A-D.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1835
ID Number
DL.387944E
catalog number
387944E
accession number
190331

Flagon

Small flagon or pichet with double-acorn thumb piece and wedge extension; stamped twice with a raised serif "M" inside a square on the outside of the heart-shaped, pouted lid. Baluster body with plain, flared rim and incised, flared base.
Description
Small flagon or pichet with double-acorn thumb piece and wedge extension; stamped twice with a raised serif "M" inside a square on the outside of the heart-shaped, pouted lid. Baluster body with plain, flared rim and incised, flared base. Strap handle with short terminal.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1700-1750
ID Number
DL.67.0258
catalog number
67.0258
accession number
250853

Stereocard Box

Open-top, rectangular, fretwork box divided widthwise into two, equal-size compartments. Consists of five sawn panels for the sides and divider, plus a plain, inset panel for bottom; exposed mortise-and-tenon and nailed construction.
Description
Open-top, rectangular, fretwork box divided widthwise into two, equal-size compartments. Consists of five sawn panels for the sides and divider, plus a plain, inset panel for bottom; exposed mortise-and-tenon and nailed construction. Front and black panels feature a perched, plumed bird in a circle at center flanked by reverse-image, frondlike leaves, while divider has inward-facing eagles over a lancet motif and ends each have two vertical plumes of serrated leaves. No marks.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1885
late 19th c.
ID Number
1982.0049.03
accession number
1982.0049
catalog number
1982.0049.03

Box or Trunk

Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back.
Description
Japanned, dome-top trunk or lidded box with scrolled hasp lock on front, circular wire ring handle on top, and two hinges at back. Box front is painted with a wide white band overpainted with alternating pairs of right-facing, red and green leaves; one green and two yellow thin lines are below. Two yellow brushstrokes on each box side and swirling yellow brushstrokes around handle; no penciling. Three-piece lid has a wire-rolled front rim and three folded edges. Three-piece box has a top edge folded with wire bead below and a flat bottom. Tinned interior. No marks.
A large number of small decorated boxes similar to this example were produced in the nineteenth century; many survive in good condition.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1875
ID Number
DL.245425.0083
catalog number
245425.0083
accession number
245425

Match Safe

Rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid covered in overlapping, round-edged and veined, repousse leaves, out of which a frog pops its head on one side. Crosshatched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior.
Description
Rounded rectangular case with side-hinged lid covered in overlapping, round-edged and veined, repousse leaves, out of which a frog pops its head on one side. Crosshatched strike plate at bottom. Gold washed interior. Collar struck incuse above frog with a trademark "S" in winged oval, "STERLING" in sans serif letters and "78".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890 - 1915
ID Number
DL.60.2145
catalog number
60.2145
accession number
200122

Artificial Flower

Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.Currently not on view
Description
Unidentified, small, pale yellow flower with pointed sepals on a wax- and thread-wrapped stem.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.60
catalog number
60.0252.60
accession number
67038

Pitcher, "Apotheosis"

The “Plan of the City of Washington” depicts the figures of Britannia and America examining the street plan of the District of Columbia. Britannia is shown pointing to the site of the Capitol building.
Description
The “Plan of the City of Washington” depicts the figures of Britannia and America examining the street plan of the District of Columbia. Britannia is shown pointing to the site of the Capitol building. The print is based on the street plan designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant and completed by Andrew Ellicott in 1792. Finally, under the spout is a transfer printed medallion with the words, “A MAN / without example / A PATRIOT / without reproach” drawn from Thomas Paine’s “An Eulogy on the Life of General George Washington.” This jug was part of the George Horace Lorimer Collection and was purchased by Robert H. McCauley from Parke Bernet Galleries in New York on March 31, 1944 for $75.00. Lorimer was an editor of The Saturday Evening Post from 1899 to 1936.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800
ID Number
CE.63.165
catalog number
63.165
accession number
248619
collector/donor number
44-346

Singer Sewing Machine

This Singer sewing machine was purchased used for $10 by Flossie Haggard in 1931. James F. and Flossie Haggard left Oklahoma in 1935 after a fire destroyed their barn and its contents.
Description
This Singer sewing machine was purchased used for $10 by Flossie Haggard in 1931. James F. and Flossie Haggard left Oklahoma in 1935 after a fire destroyed their barn and its contents. The sewing machine was taken with them in their car and trailer trip to California via Route 66 in 1935. The Haggards and their children, Lillian and James Lowell, made their home near Bakersfield, and James found work with the Santa Fe Railway. Another son, Merle, was born in Bakersfield and began his singing career there.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca. 1930
maker
Singer Manufacturing Co.
ID Number
2003.0183.07
accession number
2003.0183
catalog number
2003.0183.07

(untitled)

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
maker
Baur, Max
ID Number
2013.0327.0084
catalog number
2013.0327.0084
accession number
2013.0327

Teapot

Plain, compressed globular teapot with equal-height, incurved neck and pedestal base and creased, tapered shoulder and underbelly. Wide-rimmed, bell-domed, hinged lid is topped by button knop. Black-japanned, spurred, S- and C-curve handle is pinned into leafy spiral sockets.
Description
Plain, compressed globular teapot with equal-height, incurved neck and pedestal base and creased, tapered shoulder and underbelly. Wide-rimmed, bell-domed, hinged lid is topped by button knop. Black-japanned, spurred, S- and C-curve handle is pinned into leafy spiral sockets. S-scroll spout with D-shaped lip, slight crease on face and rounded belly. Plain body has a finely turned, tinned interior and is perforated at spout. Underside of flat bottom is struck "[J.] D.LOCKE / [N]EW YORK" in rectangle and "N\o. 15" with "1854", all in roman letters.
Maker is J. D. Locke of New York, NY; working 1835-1860. Mold appears identical to that used for teapot DL*300859.0031 by Josiah Danforth of Middletown, CT, 1821-circa 1843.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1854
ID Number
DL.59.0608
catalog number
59.0608
accession number
219034

Leaf Ornament

Large, stamped gilt-metal, red or pin oak leaf. No accretions. From a group of 27 leaves of different kinds, DL*245425.0098-.0125.Currently not on view
Description
Large, stamped gilt-metal, red or pin oak leaf. No accretions. From a group of 27 leaves of different kinds, DL*245425.0098-.0125.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800 - 1960
ID Number
DL.245425.0124
catalog number
245425.0124
accession number
245425

Artificial Berry

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1864 - 1865
ID Number
DL.60.0252.13
catalog number
60.0252.13
accession number
67038

Tiffany vase

Amber bottle glass. Form: Jar or bowl with double body, ring sides, no neck and large opening. Lip was ben in a triangle while glass was hot. Decorated with broad leaves in metallic blue, iridescent. Purchased from Charles Tiffany, $20.00.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Amber bottle glass. Form: Jar or bowl with double body, ring sides, no neck and large opening. Lip was ben in a triangle while glass was hot. Decorated with broad leaves in metallic blue, iridescent. Purchased from Charles Tiffany, $20.00.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895
maker
Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company, or Tiffany Studios
ID Number
CE.96421
catalog number
96421
accession number
30453
maker number
4952

Fruit Spoon

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1925 - 1940
maker
Stieff Company
ID Number
2002.0021.01
accession number
2002.0021
catalog number
2002.0021.01

St. Louis or Clichy 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.
The French firm, Verrerie de Clichy, began operation after merging with another local glassworks in 1837. The height of paperweight production at the firm was 1846 to 1857. Glass production at Saint Louis was authorized by Louis XV in 1767. By 1782 the firm was creating high quality glass crystal, progressing into pressed glass in the 1800s. St. Louis produced paperweights from 1845 to about 1867.
This paperweight was probably made at St. Louis or Clichy. It features a bouquet of deep pink flowers with one red bud, and a star-cut base.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 1800s
maker
St. Louis
ID Number
CE.67.228
catalog number
67.228
accession number
213138

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