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.

Topic: Children

Our Pony

Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This colored print is a garden scene full length portrait of two children with a wooden pony on wheels. One child is seated on pony, the other is standing. The graphic artist and publisher are unknown..
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1840
maker
unknown
ID Number
DL.60.2232
catalog number
60.2232
accession number
228146

highchair

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
18th century
ID Number
DL.388024
catalog number
388024
accession number
182022

A Striking Likeness

Colored print. Schoolroom scene with four boys engaged in various activites: two drawing caricature of their teacher upon a blackboard, a third watching the fourth thumb his nose at the drawing.
Description (Brief)
Colored print. Schoolroom scene with four boys engaged in various activites: two drawing caricature of their teacher upon a blackboard, a third watching the fourth thumb his nose at the drawing. The school master is entering the room on the right, switch in hand and wearing small round glasses. Long table and map on wall in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1843-1860
distributor
Phelps & Watson
distributor?
Whiting, F. P.
lithographer
E.B. and E.C. Kellogg
publisher
Golden & Sammons
ID Number
DL.60.2298
catalog number
60.2298
accession number
228146

Married

Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class, and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This hand colored print is a portrait of man, woman and four young children, one an infant in mother's lap in a richly furnished interior setting. The family is clothed in fancy antebellum dress. The room contains an elaborate sofa, foot stools, two heavily framed bust portraits of the husband and wife, heavy blue drapes, an ornate rug, patterned wallpaper and an intricately carved chair rail. The children and father all face the mother as if seeking her guidance. This is one of several prints with the same title, depicting a contented family. These happy family scenes were meant to contrast with the restless, discontented bachelor prints.
The print was produced by Sarony & Major. Napoleon Sarony (1821–1896) was born in Quebec, Canada, and trained under several lithography firms including Currier & Ives and H.R. Robinson. Sarony was also known for his successful experiments in early photography, eventually developing a cabinet-sized camera. In 1846, Sarony partnered with another former apprentice of Nathaniel Currier, Henry B. Major. Together they created Sarony & Major Lithography firm. Joseph F. Knapp joined the firm in 1857. Sarony, Major & Knapp earned a solid reputation for lithography and the company was especially known for its fine art chromolithography. Unfortunately, by the 1870s, the firm shifted focus to the more profitable area of advertising. It also expanded to become the conglomerate known as the American Lithographic Company, successfully producing calendars, advertising cards, and posters. In 1930 they were bought out by Consolidated Graphics.
date made
ca 1850
distributors
Sowle & Shaw
artist
Sarony, Napoleon
maker
Sarony & Major
ID Number
DL.60.2266
catalog number
60.2266
accession number
228146

highchair

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1840
maker
Baker, William J.
ID Number
DL.70.0099
catalog number
70.0099
accession number
286515

pail

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
late 19th century
ID Number
DL.251349.0049
catalog number
251349.0049
accession number
251349

The Little Trooper

Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This colored print is of a young girl riding a dog outdoors using the dog’s leash as reins. The girl wears a wide-brimmed hat with flowers, a simple dress, and short stockings. She has a scabbard at her waist and carries a sword in one hand.
This print was produced by the lithographic firm of D.W. Kellogg & Co. Daniel Wright Kellogg (1807-1874) founded the company in 1830 Hartford, Connecticut. Before the opening of its first retail store in 1834, D.W. Kellogg & Co. lithography firm was well established and popular in United States, particularly in the South and the Southwest. As the founding member of the family company, Daniel Wright Kellogg established the initial growth and popularity of the firm. After he left the company it continued to flourish for decades under his younger brothers and other family members.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1842
maker
D.W. Kellogg and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2346
catalog number
60.2346
accession number
228146

Adelaide

Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater w
Description
Sentimental genre prints documented the social image of Victorian virtue through domestic scenes of courtship, family, home life, and images of the “genteel female.” Children are depicted studying nature or caring for their obedient pets as they learn their place in the greater world. Romantic scenes picture devoted husbands with their contented, dutiful wives. In these prints, young women educated in reading, music, needlework, the arts, the language of flowers, basic math and science are subjugated to their family’s needs.
These prints became popular as lithography was introduced to 19th Century Americans. As a new art form, it was affordable for the masses and provided a means to share visual information by crossing the barriers of race, class and language. Sentimental prints encouraged the artistic endeavors of schoolgirls and promoted the ambitions of amateur artists, while serving as both moral instruction and home or business decoration. They are a pictorial record of our romanticized past.
This colored print is an interior scene dipicting a young girl of coquettish demeanor, seated on a chair. She is wearing everyday dress that includes lace, a ribbon sash, short stockings, and a straw hat with a bow on the floor in foreground. Rich fabric is draped over the arm of an ornately carved upholstered chair and the background is wallpapered.
Henry R. Robinson was a caricaturist, lithographer, print publisher and retailer active in New York City from 1833 until 1851. He was well known as a political cartoonist and was politically affiliated with the anti-Jackson Whig party. He advertised his affiliation with a wig silhouette which he used as an advertising logo for his shop in New York City. Like many of his contemporaries, he mentored other lithographers, including Napoleon Sarony. In 1842 he was arrested for selling obscene pictures and books. His Sept 29, 1842 court case of People vs. H.R. Robinson in New York City can be found in the District Attorney Indictment Papers in the Municipal Archives.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1843
maker
Robinson, Henry R.
ID Number
DL.60.2239
catalog number
60.2239
accession number
228146

New York Crystal Palace for the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations

Color print depicting a large crowd of visitors standing in front of the New York Crystal Palace, a glass and iron structure with a central dome.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Color print depicting a large crowd of visitors standing in front of the New York Crystal Palace, a glass and iron structure with a central dome.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1853
publisher
Seitz, Emil
printer
Ballin, M.
artist; printer
Fay, Augustus
ID Number
DL.60.3748
catalog number
60.3748

fork

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1884 - 1885
ID Number
DL.60.1131B
catalog number
60.1131B
accession number
55051

Oh Would I Were a Boy Again

Black and white comic print of school master about to spank a young boy. He is holding the boy by his hair. There is a bar of music below the title and the staff has a face and hand. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white comic print of school master about to spank a young boy. He is holding the boy by his hair. There is a bar of music below the title and the staff has a face and hand. This is one of over 100 in a series of comic parodies of popular songs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875
maker
Vance, Parsloe and Company
ID Number
DL.60.2870
catalog number
60.2870
accession number
228146

A Home in the Country

Colored print; country scene with Dutch-colonial farm houses along a country lane with picket and split rail fences, and a church with cupola in the background. Lane is filled with school children and some adults.
Description (Brief)
Colored print; country scene with Dutch-colonial farm houses along a country lane with picket and split rail fences, and a church with cupola in the background. Lane is filled with school children and some adults. Four children are swinging on a gate at right, a girl sits pensively under a tree at center. Text beginning "How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood," appears below the image on either side of the title.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1860
maker
Kelly, Thomas
ID Number
DL.60.2455
catalog number
60.2455
accession number
228146

Indian Mother

Colored print; full length portrait of a young Indian woman with basket of flowers on her head, accompanied by a young Indian boy holding a bow and arrow. Teepees and canoe in background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print; full length portrait of a young Indian woman with basket of flowers on her head, accompanied by a young Indian boy holding a bow and arrow. Teepees and canoe in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1851
maker
Robinson, Henry R.
ID Number
DL.60.2328
catalog number
60.2328
accession number
228146

Mount Vernon.

Black and white print depicting a panoramic view of Mount Vernon with outbuildings on each side. The river is visible in the distance on the left. People picnic and stroll on the lawn in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Black and white print depicting a panoramic view of Mount Vernon with outbuildings on each side. The river is visible in the distance on the left. People picnic and stroll on the lawn in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1861
home depicted
Washington, George
maker
Middleton, Strobridge & Co.
ID Number
DL.60.3760
catalog number
60.3760

A Forest Fire in America

Colored print of people and livestock fleeing a forest fire by way of a river. Some are boarding a boat. Burning cabins in background.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of people and livestock fleeing a forest fire by way of a river. Some are boarding a boat. Burning cabins in background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1871
maker
unknown
ID Number
DL.60.2407
catalog number
60.2407
accession number
228146

The Bottle: Plate 7. Madness.-The Drunkard Becomes a Lunatic over the Body of His Murdered Wife-The Bottle Has Done Its Work.

This black and white tinted print depicts seven of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking. This print is an interior scene of a crowd gathered around the body of a dead woman.
Description
This black and white tinted print depicts seven of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking. This print is an interior scene of a crowd gathered around the body of a dead woman. The weapon, a broken bottle, lies on the floor at her feet. The husband stands next to the fireplace and is being seized by a policeman. Another policeman consoles the crying daughter. The son, also crying, stands next to the fireplace.
This series of prints is by the English artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878). Cruikshank’s father, Isaac Cruikshank, was an artist who specialized in song sheets and caricatures and trained George and his brother Robert Cruikshank in these arts. George started as a caricaturist for magazines and children’s books. His most famous works included The Bottle and The Drunkard’s Children, designed and etched by Cruikshank to show the wickedness of alcohol. Cruikshank's father and brother were both alcoholics and he himself drank heavily until he took a vow of abstinence in 1847. These prints were published by David Bogue, who published most of Cruikshank’s other works in the 1850s. David Bogue, (1807–1856) was born in Scotland and moved to London in 1836. Bogue began working in Charles Tilt's bookshop as a publisher and bookseller in 1836 and became Tilt's partner in 1840. Bogue bought the shop in 1843. He was the principle publisher of Cruikshank’s short-lived periodicals, brief illustrated stories, and the Comic Almanack 1835-53. David Bogue published The Bottle series in 1847. Bogue suffered from heart disease and died in 1856 at the age of 48. There is no information available about the lithographer of this series however the inscription on the print reads COPYRIGHTED BY M. MARQUES, 1885.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1884
copyright holder
Marques, M.
maker
unknown
original artist
Cruikshank, George
ID Number
DL.60.2391
catalog number
60.2391
accession number
228146

The Bottle: Plate 4. The Father and Mother are Become Habitual Drunkards...by an unknown lithographer

This black and white tinted print depicts the fourth of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking.
Description
This black and white tinted print depicts the fourth of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking. This print is an outdoor scene of a mother, father, and older daughter standing near a storefront while the son begs for alms in the street. The mother holds an ailing toddler while the father pockets a bottle of liquor.
This series of prints is by the English artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878). Cruikshank’s father, Isaac Cruikshank, was an artist who specialized in song sheets and caricatures and trained George and his brother Robert Cruikshank in these arts. George started as a caricaturist for magazines and children’s books. His most famous works included The Bottle and The Drunkard’s Children, designed and etched by Cruikshank to show the wickedness of alcohol. Cruikshank's father and brother were both alcoholics and he himself drank heavily until he took a vow of abstinence in 1847. These prints were published by David Bogue, who published most of Cruikshank’s other works in the 1850s. David Bogue, (1807–1856) was born in Scotland and moved to London in 1836. Bogue began working in Charles Tilt's bookshop as a publisher and bookseller in 1836 and became Tilt's partner in 1840. Bogue bought the shop in 1843. He was the principle publisher of Cruikshank’s short-lived periodicals, brief illustrated stories, and the Comic Almanack 1835-53. David Bogue published The Bottle series in 1847. Bogue suffered from heart disease and died in 1856 at the age of 48. There is no information available about the lithographer of this series however the inscription on the print reads COPYRIGHTED BY M. MARQUES, 1885.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1885
copyright holder
Marques, M.
maker
unknown
original artist
Cruikshank, George
ID Number
DL.60.2388
catalog number
60.2388
accession number
228146

Child's Cup

Spun cylindrical child's cup with wide, low-relief band applied at midbody depicting a parade of children playing instruments in a forest. Engraved "Arthur Wallace Dunn Jr. / From, J.B.M." in script above and below the band on front, opposite an ear-shaped "caterpillar" handle.
Description
Spun cylindrical child's cup with wide, low-relief band applied at midbody depicting a parade of children playing instruments in a forest. Engraved "Arthur Wallace Dunn Jr. / From, J.B.M." in script above and below the band on front, opposite an ear-shaped "caterpillar" handle. Applied molded rim and flared foot ring. Gold washed interior. Rounded bottom struck with a full set of incuse marks on underside for "TIFFANY & C\o" above date letter "M" between pattern and order numbers "5470" and "1902", and "STERLING"; additional numbers scratched next to maker's name.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1891
maker
Tiffany & Co.
ID Number
DL.307672.0009
catalog number
307672.0009
accession number
307672

War

Colored print of a little girl holding an ornate curved sword and sheath. She wears a cape and a plumed hat.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print of a little girl holding an ornate curved sword and sheath. She wears a cape and a plumed hat.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
Schile, Henry
ID Number
DL.60.2462
catalog number
60.2462
accession number
228146

chair, rocking, child's

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
DL.60.1646
catalog number
60.1646
accession number
154990

Central Park, N.Y. Winter Sports

Colored print; outdoor winter scene depicting children skating on frozen lake. In foreground a man and woman ride in a two-horse open sleigh. At right, a girl descends stone steps with a small dog on a leash.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Colored print; outdoor winter scene depicting children skating on frozen lake. In foreground a man and woman ride in a two-horse open sleigh. At right, a girl descends stone steps with a small dog on a leash.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1870
maker
Schile, Henry
ID Number
DL.60.2465
catalog number
60.2465
accession number
228146

The Bottle: Plate III. An Execution Sweeps Off the Greater Part of Their Furniture...by lithographers Francis Michelin and David William Moody

This black and white tinted print depicts one of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking.
Description
This black and white tinted print depicts one of eight scenes based on George Cruikshank's The Bottle. The series shows the progressive degeneration of a family due to the evils of drinking. This print depicts an interior scene of a family whose furnishings are being removed by a sheriff and two men for failure to pay debts. The father and mother are seated near the fireplace, consoling themselves with drink. The three children linger nearby.
This series of prints is by the English artist George Cruikshank (1792-1878). Cruikshank’s father, Isaac Cruikshank, was an artist who specialized in song sheets and caricatures and trained George and his brother Robert Cruikshank in these arts. George started as a caricaturist for magazines and children’s books. His most famous works included The Bottle and The Drunkard’s Children, designed and etched by Cruikshank to show the wickedness of alcohol. Cruikshank's father and brother were both alcoholics, and he himself drank heavily until he took a vow of abstinence in 1847. The prints were originally published by David Bogue, who published most of Cruikshank’s other works in the 1850s. David Bogue, (1807–1856) was born in Scotland and moved to London in 1836. He began working in Charles Tilt's bookshop as a publisher and bookseller in 1836 and became Tilt's partner in 1840. Bogue bought the shop in 1843. He was the principle publisher of Cruikshank’s short-lived periodicals, brief illustrated stories, and the Comic Almanack 1835-53. David Bogue published The Bottle series in 1847. He suffered from heart disease and died in 1856 at the age of 48.
This print was produced by Francis Michelin (1809/10-1878) and David William Moody. Francis Michelin was a lithographer who was active in Boston from 1840-1841 and soon after moved to New York City, where he continued to make lithographs with various partners. His partners included Michelin & Cuipers (1844-1845), Michelin & Leefe (1852-1853), Michelin & Shattuck (1853-1854) and Boel & Michelin (1856-1858). David William Moody was also a lithographer. He was active in New York City from 1844-1851. He lived in Williamsburg, New York.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
ca 1847
maker
Michelin, Francis
Moody, David William
original artist
Cruikshank, George
ID Number
DL.60.2896
catalog number
60.2896
accession number
228146

Child's Cup

Raised cylindrical cup or mug with straight tapered sides, grooved D- or ear-shape scroll handle, and applied triple-reeded rim and foot ring; engraved on front "ML" in conjoined foliate script.
Description
Raised cylindrical cup or mug with straight tapered sides, grooved D- or ear-shape scroll handle, and applied triple-reeded rim and foot ring; engraved on front "ML" in conjoined foliate script. Underside of flat bottom struck with six marks arranged in a circle around the centerpoint, clockwise from top left, a cross containing the raised serif letters "I / I•H / P" (maker's mark), a lion passant facing left in a rectangle (quality mark), a sovereign's head facing right in an oval (duty mark), a leopard's head crowned in a square, a raised serif "g" in a heart or indented oval (date letter), and a larger cross containing five lion passants facing left (city mark).
Maker is John Hamstead and John Prince of York, England; used this mark, circa 1787-1794.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1793
ID Number
DL.59.0595
catalog number
59.0595
accession number
219034

chair, child's

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
DL.309351.0002
catalog number
309351.0002
accession number
309351

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