Historic New England

Watch chain

This watch chain is composed of carved jet links in a rough figure '8' design. A metal hook at one end would have attached to a watch while the carved jet toggle at the other end (broken) would have passed through a button hole.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: jet (coal), metal, enamel (fused coating)

GUSN: 23929

Accession Number: 1998.4883

Watch chain

This watch chain is composed of carved alternating square and hexagonal jet links with a metal hook at one end for suspension from a watch. Additional jet chain with ornamental carved jet padlock fob suspended from opposite end. Toggle for attachment to buttonhole broken.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: jet (coal), metal, enamel (fused coating)

GUSN: 23930

Accession Number: 1998.4884

Belt buckle

This crescent-shaped buckle is composed of scrolled foliate and floral filigree metal elements, most likely gilded silver. The center bar and three prongs are gilded. Strap no longer extant.

Date: 1850-1890

Maker: unknown

Material: silver alloy, filigree, gilding

GUSN: 23931

Accession Number: 1998.4885

Cross

This carved vulcanite cross has a single bail set at top, through which is strung a black silk ribbon. One end of the ribbon is finished with a crimped metal aiglet, indicating it may have once been a shoelace.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: vulcanite, silk (fiber), carving (processes), molding (forming)

GUSN: 23932

Accession Number: 1998.4886

Brooch

Brooch consists of a bouquet of petaled flowers backed by leaves, all carved from unglazed white porcelain. Closure with hinged pin on back.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: porcelain, carving (processes)

GUSN: 23933

Accession Number: 1998.4887

Brooch

This small circular brooch is constructed from a single piece of carved celluloid. It is pierced through the center and engraved on the front with four parallel lines across the center. The verso is carved with abstract petaled flowers at top and bottom and diagonal lines at right and left that are ...

Date: 1890-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: celluloid (cellulosic), carving (processes), metal

GUSN: 23934

Accession Number: 1998.4888

Flag

Small American flag--silk on copper stick; 30 stars in blue field.

Maker: unknown

Material: copper (metal), silk (textile)

GUSN: 23935

Accession Number: 1998.4889

Stud

Round brilliant-cut clear paste stone prong-set on single stem, all settings are gold-toned metal, possibly gold filled or plated. Backing is a metal disk. Stud for a cuff or shirt front. Potential mates in set no longer extant.

Date: 1870-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: gold alloy, paste (glass)

GUSN: 23936

Accession Number: 1998.4890

Earring

Single carved jet earring carved to resemble fan-shaped flower with stamen in center; brass hook on back. Mate to earring no longer extant.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: jet (coal), gold alloy, plating (metal coating)

GUSN: 23937

Accession Number: 1998.4891

Pair of partial earrings

Each jet pendant in this pair is tear-drop shaped and carved on both sides with a central image of a bouquet of lilies of the valley and daffodils. A large pierced hole above the carving would have suspended these pendants from earwires, possibly with additional jet ornaments, now absent.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: jet (coal), carving (processes)

GUSN: 23938

Accession Number: 1998.4892AB

Billiard ball

17 billiard balls; ivory and each painted w/ a different color stripe or solid; engraved numbers on each.

Date: 1860-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: ivory (tooth component), painting (coating)

GUSN: 23939

Accession Number: 1998.4893A-Q

Brooch

Brooch is part of a set with earrings 1998.4894BC, all are made from a round of aventurine bezel set in a plain gold-plated frame. A thin engraved line echoes the bezel setting on the gold border. Closure with a hinged pin on back.

Date: 1870-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: gold alloy, aventurine glass, plating (metal coating)

GUSN: 23940

Accession Number: 1998.4894A

Pair of earrings

Earrings are part of a set with brooch 1998.4894A, all are made from a round of aventurine bezel set in a plain gold-plated frame. A thin engraved line echoes the bezel setting on the gold border. Earrings pass through lobe with gold-plated earwires.

Date: 1870-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: gold alloy, aventurine glass, plating (metal coating)

GUSN: 23941

Accession Number: 1998.4894BC

Bracelet

Yellow celluloid bracelet; plain bangle style; round.

Date: 1920-1940

Maker: unknown

Material: celluloid (cellulosic)

GUSN: 23942

Accession Number: 1998.4895

Brooch

Brooch in the shape of a bird foot with curved talons. The surface is embellished with faceted steel beads strung on brass wire, which are wrapped around the base metal form to represent scales. The claws were left exposed as gold-colored metal. Closure is a pin and clasp on back.

Date: 1840-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, cut steel

GUSN: 23944

Accession Number: 1998.4897

Watch fob

Black and silver beaded long watch fob; ribbon-like thickness and looped into circular formation w/ metal loop at top; black w/ silver colored beads in diamond pattern.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: beading (edging pattern), beading (process), cutting (dividing), jet (coal), steel (alloy)

GUSN: 23945

Accession Number: 1998.4898

Necklace

Long necklace constructed of faceted jet beads strung in a rope pattern with additional beaded spheres strung periodically along length. Clasp is a later addition to the necklace, a metal thumb catch ring.

Date: 1890-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: beading (process), jet (coal)

GUSN: 23946

Accession Number: 1998.4899

Necklace

Necklace of oval graduated coral-coloredl beads, later thumb-ring clasp added at half-way point to turn necklace into a double strand. Pink stringing material fraying at several places along necklace.

Date: 1890-1930

Maker: unknown

Material: beading (process), coral (material)

GUSN: 23947

Accession Number: 1998.4900

Necklace

This single strand of branch coral was tightly strung on a single strand but either lost the clasp or never had one. The knotted, frayed ends of the stringing material are visible.

Date: 1860-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: coral (material)

GUSN: 23948

Accession Number: 1998.4901

Bar Pin

This Nouveau-style bar pin is embellished with a guilloché and cloisonné enamel design of a central flower with scrolling foliage in blue, green and white on a machine-engraved ground. Closure is a hinged pin and clasp on back.

Date: 1900-1940

Maker: unknown

Material: enameling, white metal, guilloche

GUSN: 23949

Accession Number: 1998.4902

Brooch

This oval shell cameo is embellished with a central spray of roses and foliage. The deeply-cut design is creamy white above a peach ground. The metal setting is no longer extant.

Date: 1870-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: cameos, conch (shell)

GUSN: 23950

Accession Number: 1998.4903

Bar Pin

This bar pin is constructed from a rectangle of polished jet with dentate edges surmounted by a garland of faceted steel leaves and vines that twists across the surface of the bar horizontally. Oxidation visible on some of the steel elements, many of which appear broken or missing. Closure with a hi...

Date: 1870-1890

Maker: unknown

Material: jet (coal), cut steel

GUSN: 23951

Accession Number: 1998.4904

Brooch

This mother-of-pearl oval brooch is mounted in a silver frame with a hinged pin and clasp closure on the back. .

Date: 1870-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: mother of pearl, silver (metal)

GUSN: 23952

Accession Number: 1998.4905

Bar pin

This gold-plated bar pin is embellished with black enamel in an Aesthetic-era style of abstracted geometric lines and foliage with a central flower. Closure with a hinged pin and clasp on back.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: champlevé, plating (metal coating), gold alloy

GUSN: 23953

Accession Number: 1998.4906

Brooch

This brooch is formed to resemble a large saber. The hilt and blade are embellished with cloisonné enamel designs in scrolls of red, blue, and white set in gold-colored metal wire channels. Closure with hinged pin and clasp on back.

Date: 1870-1910

Maker: unknown

Material: enameling, cloisonné

GUSN: 23954

Accession Number: 1998.4907

Brooch

This brooch is formed from cast white metal in a geometric, Art Deco style, set with clear paste gems and triangles of faux mother-of-pearl. Closure with hinged pin on back.

Date: 1880-1920

Maker: unknown

Material: white metal, paste (glass), glass (material)

GUSN: 23955

Accession Number: 1998.4908

Brooch

This brooch is constructed from a single bar of silver-colored metal set with faceted steel "gems." At one end of the bar is a large ball of amber-colored glass. At the opposite end the metal tapers to a point. Thin engraved lines embellish the triangular point, similar to a pen nib. Closure with hi...

Date: 1870-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), cut steel, metal

GUSN: 23956

Accession Number: 1998.4909

Portrait of Joshua Coffin

Half-length portrait of Joshua Coffin (1792-1864). White-haired gentleman in black coat and white shirt in heavy, molded and gilded frame. Attached plaque reads: "1792--Joshua Coffin--1864/ Teacher-Humanitarian-Historian/ Whittier's Schoolmaster/ The last male of seven generations/ Born-lived-died i...

Date: 1930-1935

Maker: Williamson, Ada C. (Maker) After Naegle, John C. (Artist) Possibly N. Snellenburg & Co. (Framer)

Material: oil paint (paint), canvas

GUSN: 25257

Accession Number: 1931.1906

Chest

Rectangular form. Six-board chest w/ bracket feet on front and ogival arches on ends; hinged top has thumbnail molding on front edge only. Painted dull blue w/ black and red freehand decoration.

Date: 1780-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, pine (wood)

GUSN: 25258

Accession Number: 1935.294

Military Commission Certificate

Black and gilt molded frame w/ glass; encloses military commission of Joshua Coffin, dated March 23, 1767, Boston.

Date: 1767

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25259

Accession Number: 1941.1671

Military Commission Certificate

Black and gilt molded frame w/ glass; encloses military commission of Joshua Coffin, dated June 8, 1767, Boston.

Date: 1767

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25260

Accession Number: 1941.1672

Fireplace shovel

Dished, bell-shaped iron shovel, head on plain round metal shaft; ring-and-vase brass handle terminating in round knob finial.

Date: 1780-1810

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), iron (metal), metal

GUSN: 25261

Accession Number: 1963.111A

Chest

Six-board chest; hinged lid has simple quarter-round molding on all four sides; dovetailed front and back; till with door tenoned into sides. Painted and stained red.

Date: 1790-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, pine (wood)

GUSN: 25262

Accession Number: 1963.198

Andirons

Front legs are paired reverse S-curved shapes w/ volutes which support a tapered, fluted column terminating in a Doric capital. Round ribbed brass finial. Plain peg rear legs.

Date: ca. 1800

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), iron (metal)

GUSN: 25263

Accession Number: 1963.200AB

Wall mirror

Wall mirror. Veneered mahogany, paint, glass. Painted inscription on back: "Glass/ J. Nowlton/ Newburyport." Wide, rectangular, molded frame veneered in mahogany with central rectangular glass.

Date: 1830-1850

Maker: Nowlton, J. (Maker)

Material: mahogany (wood), veneer, wood (plant material)

GUSN: 25264

Accession Number: 1963.204

Drawing

Brown-tone wash drawing of clapboards "cabin" or one-room building, w/ inscription: "Still sits the schoolhouse by the road, a ragged beggar sunning". Drawing features a schoolmasters desk at lower right corner. Behind glass; molded oak frame. Pencil inscriptions: "Mrs E(?) H C--/ Went--Road/--Mass ...

Date: 1894

Maker: Thurlow, Frank (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25265

Accession Number: 1963.206

Drawing

Plain molded mahogany veneered frame and glass; polychrome watercolor drawing of T. Coffin House in background and two men moving a boat in the foreground.

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25266

Accession Number: 1985.333

Side chair

Side chair. Unidentified woods; paint; caning. Grain-painted and striped. Wide crest rail with rounded shoulders. Shaped stile support. Solid vasiform splat. Scrolled front seat rail with caned seat. Cylindrical side and rear stretchers, rectangular front stretcher. Rests on curved front legs a...

Date: 1830-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: cane (plant material), graining, wood (plant material)

GUSN: 25267

Accession Number: 1985.360

Foot warmer

Wooden carrying case w/ wire bail handle. Case is mortise and tenon construction w/ four turned supports joining top and bottom. Tin case has hinged door w/ ring handle. All four sides display punched decoration of heart inside circle. Inside tin case is a dished tin tray w/ applied handle.

Date: 1750-1800

Maker: unknown

Material: tin (metal), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 25268

Accession Number: 1985.369A-C

Eruption of Vesuvius

Subject is the eruption of Vesuvius with Italian inscription at the lower edge. Handwritten tag on back reads: "Coffin House/ No. 5 High Street/ Newbury/ Mass." Second tag reads, "The eruption of Vesuvius in 1794 destroyed the town of Torre del Greco by a stream of lava estimated to contain more tha...

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: oil paint (paint), canvas

GUSN: 25269

Accession Number: 1985.370

Bootjack

Pine bootjack w/ wire loop attached; footed.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, pine (wood)

GUSN: 25270

Accession Number: 1985.371

Paddle

Ring carved handle w/ flat rectangular "beater" and carved knob finial. Has traditionally been called a boot stretcher or shoe horn.

Date: 1850-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 25271

Accession Number: 1985.372

Canteen

Flattened circular form. Tin canteen w/ applied strap, tin handles and raised mouth w/ cork stopper.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: cork (bark), tin (metal)

GUSN: 25272

Accession Number: 1985.373

Reproduction contract

Photocopy of agreement between Joshua Coffin and Caleb Haskill, dated July 30, 1762, Newbury; under glass. Black and gilt molded wood frame.

Date: 1762

Maker: Haskill, Caleb (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25273

Accession Number: 1985.375

Reproduction contract

Photocopy of document written and signed by Tristram Coffin. Sept 23, 1676. Behind glass. Black and gilt molded wood frame.

Date: 1676

Maker: Coffin, Tristram, Jr. (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25274

Accession Number: 1985.376

Reproduction letter

Photocopy of letter from John Greenleaf Whittier to Joshua Coffin Chase, March 30, 1884, Danvers, Mass., behind glass. Black and gilt molded frame.

Date: 1884

Maker: Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892 (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25275

Accession Number: 1985.377

Military commission certificate

Black and gilt molded frame; glass; photocopy of commission of Lt. Joshua Coffin, March 19, 1759; pen and ink explanatory description.

Date: 1759

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25276

Accession Number: 1985.378

Reproduction letter

Black and gilt molded frame; under glass. Photocopy of letter from Joshua Coffin to his brother dated 12/9/1760.

Date: 1760

Maker: Coffin, Joshua (Maker)

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 25277

Accession Number: 1985.379

Float

Blown glass net float w/ molded lip.

Date: 1850-1900

Maker: unknown

Material: glassblowing, glass (material)

GUSN: 25278

Accession Number: 1985.380

Portable desk

"A. Coffin/ 1823" engraved on brass plate on top. A) Rectangular writing desk; exterior veneered in burled wood; mahogany interior. Brass bound on all edges. Interior contains folding writing surface, a row of drawers, and a row of lidded compartments. Hand written label found w/ the piece reads: "...

Date: 1823

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), mahogany (wood)

GUSN: 25279

Accession Number: 1985.385A-C

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