Historic New England

Spice Box

Round tin spice box, painted black, with decorative band in gold and red; hinged cover with decoratively fashioned rectangular fastener hung on enclosed wire; inside painted copper color; one handle holder (other missing). [contains seven small covered cans 1991.770.2-.8].

Date: 1800-1899

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), tin (metal)

GUSN: 2578

Accession Number: 1991.770.1

Decoy Pattern

Flat wooden pattern for duck decoys.

Date: 1870-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: handmade, wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2579

Accession Number: 1991.771.1

Snipe Stick-up Decoy

Sawn and painted wooden decoy representing a snipe; gray wings, brown grained body, gray eye.

Date: 1910-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), painting (coating), sawing

GUSN: 2580

Accession Number: 1991.773

Curlew Stick-up Decoy

Carved and painted wooden decoy of curlew, apparently sawn from same piece of wood as 1991.775, flat, with long bill, mottled gray and black paint, and iron rod.

Date: 1910-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), sawing, wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2581

Accession Number: 1991.774

Shorebird Stick-up Decoy

"Silhouette" decoy of shore bird (snipe?) with hole in underside for stick-up; flat S-curve body with V-tail and nail beak, painted gray body, with black wings, head and eyes, white strip underside (beak to tail).

Date: 1880-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2582

Accession Number: 1991.776

Shorebird Stick-up Decoy

"Stick-up" decoy of a shorebird (snipe), carved and painted wood, flat in shape, V-tail, carved eye, round wooden beak (2"); painted mostly black except for underside strip, from beak to tail, of black-on-white speckled horizontal lines (no base).

Date: 1890-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2583

Accession Number: 1991.777

Snipe Stick-up Decoy

Sawn and painted wooden decoy representing a snipe; gray wings, white body with gray speckles, no eyes.

Date: 1910-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), painting (coating), sawing

GUSN: 2584

Accession Number: 1991.778

Northern Phalarope Stick-up Decoy

Small wooden "silhouette" stick-up decoy of a shorebird (Northern Phalarope), dark brown wings and head with gray accents and black and white spotting, white underside with red marking on breast, black outline, round head but flattish body, long carved wooden beak. Propped on stick and 3/4" base.

Date: 1880-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2585

Accession Number: 1991.779

Duck Decoy

Painted and stuffed canvas, stitched with string; long, flattish body with sharp tail, brown head with glass eyes, gray underside, whitish back with black markings (now very moldy and soiled).

Date: 1860-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: canvas, painting (coating)

GUSN: 2586

Accession Number: 1991.803

Mortar and Pestle

Very heavy, rough-hewn wooden mortar and pestle, lightly painted.

Date: 1700-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2587

Accession Number: 1991.804AB

Whistling Swan Decoy

Figure of a swan, arched neck carved in the full round, painted light gray over earlier layers of paint and possibly gesso; bill painted black; bottom weighted with six lead strips.

Date: 1890-1920

Maker: Williams, John, 1859-1937 (Maker)

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2588

Accession Number: 1991.805

Canada Goose Decoy

Calling Canada Goose rough-carved in the full round, painted black and white, in two pieces (head and neck; body).

Date: 1890-1930

Maker: unknown

Material: carving (processes), painting (coating), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2589

Accession Number: 1991.806

Golden Eye Decoy

Wooden carved and painted decoy representing a preening male golden eye duck; painted blue and white, with carved eyes and white wing patches; wings carved in relief.

Date: 1880-1920

Maker: Wilson, Guy (Maker)

Material: wood (plant material), carving (processes), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2590

Accession Number: 1991.807

Duck Decoy

Carved and painted wooden decoy representing a black duck, with blue wing feathers and yellow bill, and yellow glass eyes.

Date: 1896-1924

Maker: Mason's Decoy Factory (Maker)

Material: carving (processes), painting (coating), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2591

Accession Number: 1991.808

Green Winged Teal Decoy

Carved and painted female green-winged teal with green wing patches, speckled blue plumage, carved wings and tail feathers; lead weight and leather strap affixed to bottom.

Date: 1875-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: carving (processes), painting (coating), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2592

Accession Number: 1991.809

Spinning Chair

The chair has rod-turned back legs which extend to stiles with ball finials; enclosed two arched slats; spindle; turned arms supported by rod-turned front legs which continue to arm supports; trapezoid-shaped rush seat; double-sprindle stretchers on front, back and sides; old green paint.

Date: 1770-1800

Maker: unknown

Material: ash (wood), maple (wood), painting (coating), rush (material)

GUSN: 2593

Accession Number: 1991.810

Desk on Frame

In two parts: the upper portion is a slant-top desk (the lid is missing) with a shallow shelf, the other portion is three tiers of drawers with the first tier having three short drawers, the second with two drawers and the third with one long thumb-molded drawer on frame with boot jack feet and thre...

Date: 1800-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), pine (wood)

GUSN: 2594

Accession Number: 1991.811

Document Box

Rectangular overhanging molded and cotter-pen hinged lid on conforming box with molded base rasied on four ball feet; the lid has cleats; exterior is painted red.

Date: 1700-1750

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), pine (wood)

GUSN: 2595

Accession Number: 1991.812

Tea Table

Two piece, square top-tilting tea table on baluster turned standard raised on three arched legs ending in snake feet

Date: 1780-1800

Maker: unknown

Material: maple (wood)

GUSN: 2596

Accession Number: 1991.813

Wag-on-the-Wall Clock

The cream-painted dial of square form with demilune crest painted with black Roman numerals and polychrome springs at spaudrels and polychrome scene of buildings at crest. The crest has an arch-shape opening for carved and painted bird to come out of it (the door to his opening is missing); wooden ...

Date: 1820-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: iron (metal), painting (coating), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2597

Accession Number: 1991.814

Survey Map

Rectangular, vertical format map of Sandy Bay Pier, Rockport, Mass. showing wharves with inner harbor and large house with four chimneys, outbuildings and other small structures in forground. This drawing represents the small basin immediately to the west side of the present Bearskin Neck. Remains...

Date: 1819

Maker: Gott, Jabez C., 1794-1871 (Artist) Snow, Kenneth (Retailer)

Material: ink, paper (fiber product), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 2598

Accession Number: 1991.815

Watercolor

Theorum painting in two small square format, pigmy curlew (or curlew sandpiper) standing in blue puddle seen facing right in profile. Has a white underbody, brown, barred wing and tail, black eye, long, stright bill. Box, walnut (?) frame, glazed. Scalloped decoration and main forms filled in wit...

Date: 1875-1900

Maker: Wolle (Maker)

Material: painting (coating), paper (fiber product), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 2599

Accession Number: 1991.816

Diarama

Rectangular molded gray painted frame with shadow box holding four standing stuffed shore birds including two yellow legs and two sandpipers standing on a beach with shells and insects. The background and side are painted realistically with rocks, ocean, boats and birds.

Date: 1870-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: feather (material), painting (coating), sand, shell (animal material)

GUSN: 2600

Accession Number: 1991.817

Watercolor

Bunch of vari-colored flowers in original wide mahoagny veneer frame, glazed.

Date: 1820-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), paper (fiber product), pencils (drawing and writing equipment), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 2601

Accession Number: 1991.818

Watercolor

Small, rectangular format, study of a flower combination with a spray of blossoms in orange (tiger lily?), blue and gray/blue, tied with a pink bow. One blue blossom hangs down to the left with broken or bent stem. Two moths are depicted, one clinging to the orange lily (in profile) and the other ...

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), paper (fiber product), pencils (drawing and writing equipment), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 2602

Accession Number: 1991.819

Watercolor

Rectangular format, small study of a flower combination in red. white and blue flowers and green stems and leaves on a bare background. In black moulded frame with yellow stripe, glazed; in its original glass.

Date: 1820-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), paper (fiber product), pencils (drawing and writing equipment), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 2603

Accession Number: 1991.820

Watercolor

Rectangular format, floral arrangemnt with a large basket resting on a mahogany table. Orange tulips, mums and blue flowers with elaborate leaves and stems in deep green. Several prominent flowers are left unpainted (unfinished?). The paper is prepared with wax and white chalk. Delicate stripping...

Date: 1830-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: chalk, ink, pencils (drawing and writing equipment), watercolor (paint), waxed paper

GUSN: 2604

Accession Number: 1991.821

Watercolor

Floral watercolor on paper in original pine frame.

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 2605

Accession Number: 1991.822

Portrait of a Boy

Cut paper portrait showing the head and shoulders of a little boy cut in profile and laid against a blue paper background. Boy has light brown hair cut close to the head. Broad ruffled, cream-colored collar, over a dark blue suit made out of fabric with a row of round "gold" buttons cut out of yello...

Date: 1835-1845

Maker: Bascom, Ruth Henshaw, 1772-1848 (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product), oil pastels, pencils (drawing and writing equipment)

GUSN: 2606

Accession Number: 1991.823

Miner's Birdcage Feeding Dish

Miniature redware deep dish with clear lead glaze on the inside (mostly worn off), unglazed outside, thick rim, straight, ingoing sides (no foot). Bird food or water dish from a miner's birdcage.

Date: 1775-1825

Maker: John Bell Pottery (Maker)

Material: glazing (coating), lead glaze, redware, throwing (pottery technique)

GUSN: 2607

Accession Number: 1991.825

Miner's Birdcage Feeding Dish

Small redware bird food dish with short handle at the top with hole for dipping rod; wider rough hewn bottom; unglazed outside with clear lead glaze inside, intended for use in a miner's canary cage

Date: 1775-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: glazing (coating), lead glaze, redware

GUSN: 2608

Accession Number: 1991.826

Miniature Redware Bowl

Very small reware bowl, with a dark brown body (almost black) washed with a deep ochre-yellow glaze on the inside of the bowl with drippings to the outside; no foot, no flange, almost straight sides.

Date: 1750-1800

Maker: unknown

Material: glazing (coating), lead glaze, redware, throwing (pottery technique)

GUSN: 2609

Accession Number: 1991.827

Bird Whistle

Small and stylized earthenware bird whistle with a round, flat open top with pointed beak and a long, straight whistle spout; it is covered with yellow glaze with an unglazed mouthpiece.

Date: 1850-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: earthenware, glazing (coating), lead glaze, throwing (pottery technique)

GUSN: 2610

Accession Number: 1991.828

Small Redware Cup

Redware handled cup (tea cup) with shallow bowl on a low foot with two narrowly incised bands around bowl and ridged strap handle covered all over with a dark brown glaze.

Date: 1820-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: glazing (coating), lead glaze, redware, throwing (pottery technique)

GUSN: 2611

Accession Number: 1991.829

Painting

Rectangular format, small view of brown-painted "half house," with barn and trees, fence and laundry at left; women appear at upper center window and at right doorway; gilt frame with square-head nails. Simple gilt frame.

Date: 1856

Maker: Wiggin, Alfred J. (Maker)

Material: canvas, oil paint (paint), painting (coating)

GUSN: 2612

Accession Number: 1991.830

Wall Box

Rectangular backboard with cauted crest piece with hanging hole, shaped sides which slope from crest to box, a wedge-shaped wood block nailed to backboard; retains traces of grey paint.

Date: 1820-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: nailing, pine (wood)

GUSN: 2613

Accession Number: 1991.831

Box

Rectangular box with shaped extension at one end, with sliding cover; box has beaded edge on three sides; is all grain painted in two tones of green.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: painting (coating), pine (wood)

GUSN: 2614

Accession Number: 1991.832

Painting, Tobias and the Angel

Almost square format; landscape view with river and mountains, prominent clouds, two figures and dog lower right. Beveled band around picture painted black. Simple molded wood frame, c.1920's.

Date: 1710-1730

Maker: unknown

Material: boards (flat objects), oil paint (paint)

GUSN: 2314

Accession Number: 1991.322

Overmantel-Damon Nichols House

Large overmantel painting, rectangular format. View of town framed by trees, rocks, houses, two churches on left, water with boats at right. Dark, half sky. Frame heavy black, bolection molding not original to, but contemporary with panel (NFL).

Date: 1775-1800

Maker: unknown

Material: oil paint (paint), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2315

Accession Number: 1991.323

Blanket

Nearly square form comprised of two panels of off-white wool woven with linen cross bars in dark and light blue (enclosing off-white wool squares). Hand sewn center seam. A light weight blanket.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: hand sewing, linen (material), machine sewing (technique), piecing, wool (textile), weaving

GUSN: 2316

Accession Number: 1991.324

Blanket

Rectangular form comprised of two panels of navy blue and off-white wool in double check pattern in two-inch squares. Hand sewn center seam, top and bottom ends. Woven in a twill weave.

Date: 1830-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: double weave, hand sewing, weaving, wool (textile)

GUSN: 2317

Accession Number: 1991.325

Blanket

Rectangular form comprised of two panels of wool woven in a square check pattern in butternut and medium blue. Self fringe at one end. Hand sewn center seam.

Date: 1820-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: hand sewing, piecing, wool (textile), weaving

GUSN: 2318

Accession Number: 1991.326

Blanket

Homespun woven wool blanket of rectangular size. Comprised of two panels handstitched together down the middle. Dark blue and off-white bold check pattern. Hemmed edge.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: stitching, piecing, wool (textile), weaving

GUSN: 2319

Accession Number: 1991.327

Blanket

Rectangular form comprised of two panels of wool woven in a check pattern in dark blue, butternut and brown. Self-fringe at bottom edge.

Date: 1820-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: piecing, wool (textile), weaving

GUSN: 2320

Accession Number: 1991.328

Blanket

Boiled wool blanket of rectangular shape, comprised of two panels finely hand stitched together. Natural off-white and dark blue 1" grid-like check pattern. Two hemmed edges. Two selvage edges.

Date: 1780-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: cross-stitching, embroidering, piecing, wool (textile), weaving

GUSN: 2321

Accession Number: 1991.329

Chandelier

Gray-painted inverted pear-form with mushroom-shaped top pieced at sides with three wrought iron candle arms; each candle arm with flat circular drip pan and candle cup. Hangs from a metal cap with ring.

Date: ca. 1800

Maker: unknown

Material: iron (metal), painting (coating), tin (metal), turning (shaping process), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 2322

Accession Number: 1991.330

Four-drawer Chest

Rectangular top with molded edge on case with four graduated long drawers with original engraved quatrefoil brass escutcheons, backplates or tear drop pulls. The drawers surrounded with double arch moldings. All raised on molded base and ball feet with short turned legs. Grain painted in two shades...

Date: 1720-1740

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), graining, maple (wood), pine (wood)

GUSN: 2323

Accession Number: 1991.331