Historic New England

Club

Heavy wooden pole club, or povai, with incised carvings on handle. From Fiji, Tonga or Samoa. This club would have been used in hand-to-hand combat.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269737

Accession Number: 2006.44.3603

Long, light-colored wooden paddle with carved head and pointed end, probably from the Solomon Islands. The paddle has low relief carved portions on both sides that may represent stylized albatross wings or other zoomorphic forms.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269738

Accession Number: 2006.44.3604

Paddle

Long, light-colored wooden paddle with carved paddle head and pointed end. Probably from the Solomon Islands. The paddle head is carved on both sides in low relief with a design that is believed to represent frigate birds and other zoomorphic forms.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269739

Accession Number: 2006.44.3605

Spear

Short wooden spear, or ihe laumake, from Hawaii, with a carved barb of tapering tiers at one end. The spear would have been used in combat for thrusting or throwing.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269740

Accession Number: 2006.44.3606

Bow

Large wooden bow with bowstring, possibly from the Solomon Islands or Tonga. The bow is flattened and painted black on one side. The bowstring is made of what appears to be twisted hair or plant fiber. The bowstring is attached at either end with fiber that has been twisted, wrapped and covered wit...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), hair, resin (organic material)

GUSN: 269741

Accession Number: 2006.44.3607

Spear

Hawaiian long spear, or ihe laumake. Wooden spear has a head consisting of five triple-barbed tiers and a slender, uncarved shaft. The surface is polished. The spear would have been thrust or thrown.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269742

Accession Number: 2006.44.3608

Club (Patu onewa)

Maori (New Zealand/Aotearoa) short club or patu onewa, hand-held club made of grey-green stone. Club has a spatula-shaped blade polished to an edge. There are three parallel lines carved at the base of the handle with a hole above that would have originally had a flax or dogskin loop that wrapped ar...

Maker: unknown

Material: stone (rock), string (fiber product)

GUSN: 269743

Accession Number: 2006.44.3609

Sword

Wooden sword edged with shark teeth from the Gilbert Islands of Kiribati. The Gilbert Islands are known for making a wide range of shark-toothed weapons for use in ritual combat. This sword would have been used to stab and cut during hand-to-hand combat.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), tooth

GUSN: 269744

Accession Number: 2006.44.3610

Club

A heavy wooden club - or bovai - with incised carvings over entire body, likely from Fiji. The club is slightly curved from the base of the handle to the head. The club is probably from Fiji, although there are similiar examples from Samoa and Tonga as well. The club would have been used in hand-to-...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269745

Accession Number: 2006.44.3611

Drum

Small wooden slit or gong drum, probably of Pacific Island origin. The body of the drum is carved from a single piece of wood and polished, but the ends are unfinished.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269746

Accession Number: 2006.44.3612

Bowl

Double-pointed wooden kava bowl likely from Vanuatu, in an elongated oblong shape with pointed ends. The bowl is serrated along the pointed ends and the serrations run about a quarter of the way down each side of the bowl. The drinking of kava has important religous, ceremonial and cultural signific...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269747

Accession Number: 2006.44.3613

Club

Wooden club with large bird-head shape (porowa ra aru), from New Caledonia. The club head has a large, beak-like projection on one end and a small hooded projection off the other. These clubs, most likely ceremonial, were visual symbols of rank and wealth, and were owned by men of the chiefly class...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269748

Accession Number: 2006.44.3614

Paddle

Intricately carved small paddle fron the Austral Islands. Incised carving covers the entire paddle, including characteristic Austral Island "starburst" designs. The base of the handle is encircled with stylized human figures. This paddle was most likely made for trade with early visitors to the isla...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269749

Accession Number: 2006.44.3615

Bowl with Handle

Carved and polished wooden bowl with doweled handle extending from just below the rim of the bowl. The bowl has a flat edge. Likely from the Pacific Islands.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269760

Accession Number: 2006.44.3616

Kava Bowl

Carved wooden kava bowl in an elongated oblong shape tapering to two pointed ends. Probably from Vanuatu. Kava is a drink used throughout the Pacific Islands for sacred, ceremonial and social purposes.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269761

Accession Number: 2006.44.3617

Lei

Hawaiian multi-colored feather lei with yellow silk ribbons at either end. The feathers on this lei lay flat and tight along the horizontal, with yellow, red and green bands of feathers. Tradtionally, the lei would have been worn by high-status - or ali'i - women.

Maker: unknown

Material: feather (material)

GUSN: 269762

Accession Number: 2006.44.3618

Lei

A yellow feather lei from Hawaii with yellow silk ribbons at either end. The feathers lie flat and tight along the horizontal. Traditionally, feathered leis would have been worn by women of high status, known as ali'i.

Maker: unknown

Material: feather (material), silk (textile), yarn

GUSN: 269763

Accession Number: 2006.44.3619

Lei

Hawaiian feather lei made of fluffy yellow feathers and a yellow ribbon at either end. Traditionally, feather leis would have been worn only by women of the noble class, known as the ali'i. Purchased in 1922 by Stephen W. Phillips.

Maker: unknown

Material: feather (material), silk (textile), yarn

GUSN: 269764

Accession Number: 2006.44.3620

Bowl

Carved wooden bowl from the Marquesan Islands, exterior covered with typical Marquesan designs of triangles, concentric squares, six-petaled flower. Interior of bowl is unadorned. The bowl would have been used in everyday life.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269765

Accession Number: 2006.44.3621

Bowl

Carved wooden bowl with footed base, from the Marquesan Islands. Bowl is extensively carved with both traditional and non-traditional design motifs, concentric arches, triangles, and ovals. Interior is unadorned. Most likely made for the tourist trade.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269766

Accession Number: 2006.44.3622

Dish

Boat-shaped carved dish or kava bowl, front has bands of carved edges and the back has a bracket with two holes for hanging. Carved from a solid piece of wood. From Fiji, Samoa or Tonga, used to hold kava. Kava is a drink used for sacred, ceremonial and social purposes throughout the Pacific Island...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269767

Accession Number: 2006.44.3623

Pair of Bookends

Pair of Maori (from New Zealand/ Aotearoa) carved wooden figures with shell eyes.The two figures are crudely carved but incorporate Maori design motifs of a three-fingered hand, protruding tongue, and shell eyes. These figures were made for the tourist trade and may have been bookends.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269768

Accession Number: 2006.44.3624

Necklace

Long necklace of tiny white shells ('ei pupu) from the Cook Islands. 'Ei pupu are made from the yellow or brown shells of a snail, with the shells frequently boiled or soaked to bleach white. These necklaces are given as gifts and are not widely available outside of the Cook Islands.

Maker: unknown

Material: shell (animal material)

GUSN: 269771

Accession Number: 2006.44.3625

Seed Necklace

Necklace of red brown disk shaped seeds.

Maker: unknown

Material: seed

GUSN: 269772

Accession Number: 2006.44.3626

Necklace

Necklace of strung gray, white and brown seeds known as "Job's Tears." Job's Tears are native to Asia but have spread widely across the world. There are examples of objects incorporating the seeds in many different cultures, including the Pacific Islands.

Maker: unknown

Material: seed

GUSN: 269773

Accession Number: 2006.44.3627

Wallpaper

Wallpaper fragment. Lattice design of ogee openings separated by small diamonds. Printed in cream, tan and dark brown on brown ground.

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 272471

Accession Number: 2000.1653

Wallpaper

Wallpaper fragments. Imitation needlepoint or tapestry pattern of large scale scrolling foliage. Printed in white, black and indigo blue.

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 272477

Accession Number: 2000.1656A-G

Wallpaper

Two boards with multiple layers of wallpaper in various designs.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 272480

Accession Number: 2008.40.2.1-.2

Wallpaper

Fragment of wallpaper attached to a board. Figure with sheep on a brown ground. From the Hancock Tavern, Boston, Massachusetts.

Date: 1800-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product), wood (plant material)

GUSN: 272481

Accession Number: 2008.40.4

Wallpaper

Fragment three of three. Pattern of vertical floral sprigs along edge, dotted background, and centralized landscape figure. Figure mostly missing. Printed in white, two shades of green, brown and blue on a periwinkle ground.

Date: 1815-1825

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 272490

Accession Number: 1924.894

Square Table

Square table with detachable base. Table top fits into slots on table frame base. Cylidrical legs.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 287796

Accession Number: 2013.4.1

Pair of Side Chairs

Pair of green painted side chairs. Square slat back. Original cane seats have been replaced with a cushion covered in green nylon.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

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

GUSN: 287808

Accession Number: 2013.4.2.1-.2

Rectangular Side Table

Small rectangular side table with two shelves. Arched legs, slightly mission-like in style. Diamond shaped brass tag affixed between legs [where they join base] engraved with a tree in a circle enclosing an "R".

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: oak (wood)

GUSN: 287809

Accession Number: 2013.4.3

Bookcase

Three shelf bookcase with open slat back and sides.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 287797

Accession Number: 2013.4.4

Bookcase

Shelves are not adjustable. Top, sides, shelves are painted white. Back is unfinished.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: pine (wood), paint (coating)

GUSN: 287817

Accession Number: 2013.4.5

Slant-top Desk on Frame

Slant-top desk on frame with single drawer. Drawer has square wooden drawer pulls. Desk interior has cubbyholes with two small drawers.

Maker: unknown

Material: oak (wood)

GUSN: 287798

Accession Number: 2013.4.6

Electric Table Lamp

Electric table lamp, molded white glass with floral decoration with brass. Square white marble base. Lamp has a Supreme 75 Watt Soft White bulb in the socket.

Date: 1940-1990

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), marble (rock)

GUSN: 287799

Accession Number: 2013.4.7

Floor Lamp

Electric floor lamp. White painted metal with an adjustable neck and circular base.

Maker: unknown

Material: metal

GUSN: 287801

Accession Number: 2013.4.8

Floor Lamp

Floor lamp painted taupe with molded white glass shade covered by a removable painted metal shade with pattern of gold ivy.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, glass (material)

GUSN: 287802

Accession Number: 2013.4.9

Footstool

Rectangular footstool with a rush top and painted black legs and stretchers.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

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

GUSN: 287811

Accession Number: 2013.4.10

Footstool

Circular footstool with four wooden legs. Cross-stitched top has multi colored flowers on a dark gray ground. Brown velvet sides.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), cotton (textile), velvet (fabric weave)

GUSN: 287805

Accession Number: 2013.4.11

Footstool

Rectangular footstool with cross-stitched top of a multi-color floral pattern with scrolls on navy blue ground. Four cabriole legs with rams head feet.

Date: 1950-2000

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material), cotton (textile)

GUSN: 287810

Accession Number: 2013.4.12

Wallpaper

Small wallpaper fragment found in a series of layers of paper at the Silas Dean House, Wethersfield, Connecticut. Pattern consists of narrow cobalt blue stripe with linked diamonds running up the center alternating with a stripe of small circles. Printed in cobalt blue, purple, orange, and cream o...

Date: 1820-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 272536

Accession Number: 1971.158.3A

Wallpaper

Two fragments of wallpaper, one with attached border (B). Wallpaper (A) is an all over shell or flame pattern background with cartouches framing a palmette motif. Printed in two yellow, two tans, and dark green on a cream ground. The border fragment (B) is a stylized scroll and floral pattern prin...

Date: Late nineteenth century

Maker: unknown

Material: paper (fiber product)

GUSN: 272553

Accession Number: 1979.4.2AB