Domestic Furnishings - Overview
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.
"Domestic Furnishings - Overview" showing 14 items.
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1839 Frances M. Jolly's Quilt Top
- Description
- The embroidered inscription “Frances M Jolly 1839” graces the center medallion of this quilt top. This signed and dated silk-and-wool-embroidered quilt top came from an African American family, and the maker, Frances M. Jolly, was said to be an ancestor of one of the donor’s grandparents. The family, of whom little else is known, is said to have lived in Massachusetts and moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina.
- A 37½-inch black square set diagonally in the center with red corner triangles is the focal point of this quilt top. It is surrounded by three borders: a 9-inch black, a 10-inch orange, and an 11-inch black. Appliquéd flowers, leaves, and vines embellished with braid and embroidery decorate the surface.
- The edges of the appliquéd motifs are not turned under, but are held in place by buttonhole stitching in matching or near-matching thread colors. Silk or cotton threads are used for securing the appliqué motifs, stitching, and the embroidery, except for the inscription, which is chain-stitched in red wool. The quilt has both hand and machine stitching. The outer two borders are machine-stitched, indicating that they were joined after 1860 when sewing machines became common in households. Wool fabrics are used for both the pieced sections and the appliquéd motifs. Wool and silk braid and silk ribbon contribute to the overall design.
- Little is known about Frances M. Jolly. A headstone in the White Cloud Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Calloway County, Missouri bears the name “Frances M. Jolly dau of E. H. and A. M. Jolly Feb 15, 1915 and Feb. 11, 1916.” Whether this has a connection to the Frances M. Jolly that is inscribed on this quilt top is a question that remains to be answered with further research and information.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Date made
- 1839
- quilter
- Jolly, Frances M.
- ID Number
- 1983.0241.01
- catalog number
- 1983.0241.01
- accession number
- 1983.0241
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1830 Jane Valentine's "Irish Chain" Quilt
- Description
- On the front of this “Irish Chain”-patterned quilt is found an inscription in ink: “Commenced in 1825 & Finished in 1830 by Mifs Jane Valentine Scipio Cayuga Co. N.Y. No. of Pieced Blocks 168 Small Blocks 4,2,42." Another inscription in a different hand and ink on a back corner states: “My Mothers 5040 Blocks 1832 In Case of My death to be given to My Sister Hattie Blodgett.”
- The quilt is made of 3-inch plain and pieced blocks. The blocks are comprised of about 130 different roller-printed cottons with small print motifs. An examination of the quilt reveals that there are 348 white blocks and 348 pieced blocks; the segments of the pieced blocks are 5/8-inch square, and there are 10,092 of them. Diagonal grid quilting follows the “chain.” The plain white blocks are quilted, 6 stitches per inch, with a floral motif. The “Irish Chain” pattern was in use in the early 1800s and may have been adapted from weaving patterns.
- Margaret Jane Valentine was the daughter of Peter Valentine (1784-1865) and Elizabeth Hilliker. Jane married Benjamin Brown Jr. on November 16, 1831. Harriet Brown was born in 1848 and married Charles Blodgett. It was Mrs. Harriet E. Blodgett who in 1915 donated this quilt and a coverlet. At the time she wrote that the quilt was “. . . pieced by my mother. Commenced in 1825 when she was about fourteen finished 1830. . . I feel a great desire to put them [both quilt and coverlet] where they will be preserved.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1830
- maker
- Valentine, Jane
- ID Number
- TE*E287383
- accession number
- 58478
- catalog number
- E287383
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Jacob Impson Coverlet
- Description
- The weaver of this Jacquard double-woven cotton and wool coverlet, Jacob Impson (1802—1869), worked first in Ludlowville, New York, and then in Cortland Village, New York. His name, the name of the owner (Lois Burnham) and the date 1834 appear in both of the lower corners of this coverlet. The words “Lady’s Fancy” (which may be the name of the design) appear across the upper edge of the border, and the words, “Cortland Village” appear across the lower area of the border, just above the finished edge. This coverlet was made at the height of the “Fancy” period (1790—1840) in the decorative arts. During the “Fancy” period, items were covered with bright designs with lots of movement rather than the classical motifs used in other periods. This coverlet was woven in two pieces and sewn together.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1834
- owner
- Burnham, Lois
- weaver
- Impson, Jacob
- ID Number
- TE*T008113
- catalog number
- T08113.000
- accession number
- 144578
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Eagle and Deer Coverlet
- Description
- This blue and white double-woven Jacquard coverlet has two borders: one with deer and trees, and one with eagles and the dome or tower of a building. The words “E Pluribus Unum” (out of many one—our national motto) appear on a ribbon above each eagle. In the lower two corners, the words “Woven At The Ithaca Carpet Factory By Arch’d Davidson 1838” appear. The center of the coverlet features stylized medallions of flowers. This coverlet originally belonged to James Madison Wheeler, grandfather of the donor. Archibald Davidson was born in Scotland in 1771, where he was trained as a weaver. He and his wife Jane had five sons one born in Pennsylvania and the other four in New Jersey. They lived in both Tompkins and Warsaw Counties, New York, as well. The book American Coverlets and Their Weavers , by Clarita S. Anderson, states that in 1832 Archibald Davidson advertised himself in the Ithaca Journal and Daily Advertiser as a “fancy weaver” and went on to inform the public that he had purchased a “patent loom.” In 1849 he advertised for an apprentice, stating that: “None need apply unless well recommended.”
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1838
- weaver
- Davidson, Archibald
- manufacturer
- Ithaca Carpet Factory
- ID Number
- TE*T011470
- catalog number
- T11470.000
- accession number
- 212398
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Devler Coverlet
- Description
- This single-woven, red, white, and blue Jacquard coverlet was woven in Pennsylvania by Joseph Devler, in 1836. It is made of cotton and wool and features a border of flowers and birds, with medallions in the center. The date, 1836, the name, Joseph Devler, and letters "E R" and "A L E" appear in the lower corners. Mr. Devler was born about 1809—1811 in Pennsylvania, and died in 1886. He was in the weaving business in Lancaster, Co., Pennsylvania. On his tombstone, his last name is spelled "Dalver."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1836
- maker
- Devler, Joseph
- ID Number
- TE*T014000
- catalog number
- T14000.000
- accession number
- 269209
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Braddocks Defeat Coverlet
- Description
- This overshot coverlet is said to have been made by Lavina Rogers of Horse Creek, Tennessee, in 1833. It is made of cotton and wool, and is woven in what some call the "Braddocks Defeat" pattern. The coverlet appears to have been repaired, as the center seam and the hems are machine sewn with cotton sewing thread. There were very few female hand- weavers in 1833. In most cases women spun the yarn used in their coverlets, and commissioned a professional weaver to actually weave the coverlet.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1830-1840
- 1833
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T014956
- catalog number
- T014956
- accession number
- 124301
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Eagles and Stars Coverlet
- Description
- This cotton and wool, double-woven Jacquard coverlet was made by C. Colling in 1836, possibly in New York State. It features a floral design in the center, with eagles, stars, buildings, and Masonic symbols in the border. There is no center seam. In each corner the design includes these words: “AGRICULTURE & MANUFACTURES ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR INDEPENDENCE July 4, 1836.” The year 1836 was the 60th anniversary of American independence. Unfortunately, nothing more is known about Mr. Colling.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1836
- maker
- Collings, C.
- ID Number
- TE*T014962
- catalog number
- T14962.000
- accession number
- 285502
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Meily Coverlet 1838
- 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*T016417
- catalog number
- T16417
- accession number
- 304266
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Phebe Ann Baylis Coverlet
- Description
- This Jacquard double-woven coverlet was made for Phebe Ann Baylis in 1836, at the height of the “Fancy” period in American decorative arts. It has a center motif, and no center seam. Featured are birds and rosettes, framed by a garland of simple stylized flowers. The leafy border is interrupted on either side by a strangely proportioned urn and eight-pointed stars, along with fruits, flowers, and birds. The use of six- and eight-pointed stars on textiles at this period is not unusual, although the use of five-pointed stars on the American flag was well established by this time. The coverlet is made in blue and white wool yarn. It may have been made in New York State. The name of the weaver is unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1836
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T016835
- catalog number
- T16835.000
- accession number
- 306589
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
1839 AP Coverlet
- Description
- This well-worn, and much-used Jacquard double-woven coverlet was created in 1839. It is made of cotton and wool, in blue and buff. The upper edge has been worn away, probably through use, as that is the area the owner would grasp to pull it up at night. It has borders of leaves and flowers on three sides. The upper edge is finished with a piece of cloth tape. The date "1839" and the letters "AP" are repeated four times in each corner—-right sideup and upside down. The center of the coverlet features medallions of double roses, and other flowers. The weaver of this coverlet is unknown.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- 1839
- maker
- unknown
- ID Number
- TE*T017176
- catalog number
- T17176
- accession number
- 313384
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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