Historic New England

Mantel Mirror

Mantel mirror on small rectangular base. Cicular mirror has a brass frame decorated with inlaid brass fretwork and pale purple orchids on a yellow enamel ground. Triangle shaped open fretwork finial attached to top. Mirror is attached to base by two crested birds with hairy claw feet. Each bird hold...

Date: 1850-1869

Maker: unknown

Material: brass (alloy), enamel (fused coating), glass (material)

GUSN: 269730

Accession Number: 2012.114.3

Paddle

Small carved wooden paddle from the Austral Islands, covered with incised patterns.. The carvings include the characteristic Austral Island "starbust" motif and handle base of human-like figures.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269731

Accession Number: 2006.44.3597

Club

Samoan hand-held club (nifo 'oti) with twenty-four tooth-like projections on one side and a hook on the other. The head of the club is decorated on both sides with incised patterns. The weapon would have been used in combat and carried as a sign of status by men and women.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269732

Accession Number: 2006.44.3598

Club

Wooden rootstock war club, or vunikau, from Fiji, with a straight handle ending with a natural knot of polished root. Portions of the knobby head and handle are carved with incised patterns. There are two bands of contrasting braided material - one at the base of the head and one at the base of the ...

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269733

Accession Number: 2006.44.3599

Club

Wooden paddle-shaped chief's club, or culacula, from Fiji, with serrated carving along the edges of the paddle and under the crossbar where the paddle meets the handle. The base of the handle has incised carvings. This culacula would have been used in hand-to-hand combat as both a shield and club.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269734

Accession Number: 2006.44.3600

Club

Beaked 'pineapple' or 'pandanus' battlehammer, known as a totokia, from Fiji. Heavily carved head with pineapple-like extrusions ending with a pointed 'beak'. The club would have been used to inflict a deadly blow to the skull. Its design is said to be based on a bird's head.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269735

Accession Number: 2006.44.3601

Paddle

Wooden paddle, possibly from the Pacific Islands. The paddle head has a raised ridge on one side and the other side is flat.

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 269736

Accession Number: 2006.44.3602

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

Paddle

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

Slit 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.

Date: 1976-2000

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

Armchair

Armchair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Chair arms feature a carved scroll at the end. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

Material: wood and wood products

GUSN: 265873

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.4

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

Material: cherry (wood)

GUSN: 265874

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.5

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265875

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.6

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265876

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.7

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265877

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.8

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265878

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.9

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265879

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.10

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265880

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.11

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265881

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.12

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265882

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.13

Chair

Side chair with flame finials. Carved and curved crest rail with spiral turned stiles and a pierced splat. Carved knees and ball and claw feet. Leather seat. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten ...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265883

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.14

Fire screen

Fire screen with a central beveled glass panel. Wood frame has flame finials, spiral turned stiles, and large animal paw feet. Part of a fifteen-piece dining room set including: Dining Table with extension leaves; Table leaf stand; Twelve chairs (two armchairs and ten side chairs); and a fire screen...

Date: 1880-1899

Maker: unknown

Material: cherry (wood), glass (material), carving (processes)

GUSN: 265884

Accession Number: 2012.58.6.15

Creamer

Creamer, decorated with bands of engraved flowers, oak leaves, and acorns. Both sides engraved with center medallion surround by garlands of leaves. One medallion has an engraved "P" in the center.

Date: 1806-1811

Maker: Alfred & George Welles (Silversmith)

Material: silver (metal)

GUSN: 265931

Accession Number: 2012.62.1

Sugar bowl

Two-handled sugar bowl [a] with cover [b]; Body of sugar bowl is decorated with a freize of flowers, crescent moons, oak leaves and acorns. Both sides engraved with center medallion surrounded by garlands of leaves. One medallion has an engraved "P" in the center. Stepped base, cover has an urn fini...

Date: 1806-1811

Maker: Alfred & George Welles (Silversmith)

Material: silver (metal)

GUSN: 265932

Accession Number: 2012.62.2AB

Baby gate

Wooden baby gate, nine vertical slats crossed by two horizontal slats. Width of gate is adjusted by turning a large wooden screw.

Date: 1930-1940

Maker: unknown

Material: wood (plant material)

GUSN: 265940

Accession Number: 2012.63.1

Secrétaire à Abattant

Rectagular and vertical with fall front. Mahogany, gilt-metal mounted, pine secondary wood. Top of upper case contains one drawer in the form of a bookmatched mahogany frieze. Lower doors composed of mahogany boards fitted with "clamps" at top a nd bottom attached with tongue and groove joints. ...

Date: 1819-1825

Maker: Attributed to Isaac Vose & Son (Furniture maker)

Material: mahogany (wood), veneer, eastern white pine (wood), ash (wood), poplar (wood)

GUSN: 265950

Accession Number: 2012.64.1

Toilet Tank and Lid

Papier mache toilet tank with removeable lid; beige; painted; hole in bottom for piping.

Date: ca. 1900

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 265954

Accession Number: 2002.54AB

Pedestal

Marble column pedestal with sqaure top and base; column and bottom half of base4 are dark gray; pedestal top and top half of base are white marble.

Date: 1850-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: marble (rock)

GUSN: 265956

Accession Number: 2002.55

Hope Chest

Finished cedar; top lifts open revealing unfinished chest compartment; single over double false drawers; carved shell motif; bottom drawer opens and has serpentined bottom edge and craved shell design; brass hardware; cabriole legs with pad feet on platforms.

Date: ca. 1950

Maker: Lane Furniture Industries (Manufacturer)

Material: cedar (wood), brass (alloy)

GUSN: 265957

Accession Number: 2002.56.1

Hamper

Green painted wicker and metal; wood top with vinyl cover; lifts open; metal bottom with four wooden feet; brass hinges.

Date: ca. 1950

Maker: Pearlwick

Material: wood (plant material), metal, vinyl, brass (alloy)

GUSN: 265959

Accession Number: 2002.56.2

Portrait of Elizabeth Gray Otis (Mrs. Alleyne Otis)

Depicts subject from waist up, facing viewer; she wears a brown, blue and white dress and colorful flowers in her hair; she holds shepherdess's crook; dark tree in the background with branches and leaves in the upper corner; background of gray sky and buildings in distance; gilt frame with nameplate...

Date: 1976

Maker: Lamb, Adrian (Artist)

Material: oil paint (paint), canvas, gesso, gold (metal), wood (plant material), painting (image-making), gilding

GUSN: 265961

Accession Number: 2002.57.1

Portrait of Harrison Gray (1711-1794)

Subject depicted from waist up; seated in a chair; facing viewer; gray hair; wears a red coast and vest with gold buttons; holds a piece of paper and a quill pen; dark solid background; gilt frame with nameplate on lower rail.

Date: 1976

Maker: Lamb, Adrian, 1901-1988 (Artist)

Material: oil paint (paint), canvas, wood (plant material), gesso, gold (metal), painting (image-making), gilding

GUSN: 265963

Accession Number: 2002.57.2

Chamber Pot

Round pewter chamberpot with an overhanging rim and a handle on one side.

Date: 18th century

Maker: Campbell, Thomas C. (Vendor)

Material: pewter (tin alloy)

GUSN: 265964

Accession Number: 2002.60

Letter Box

Painted birdseye maple with mahogany banded borders; top of box depicts landscape scene with a tower in the center; front has keyhole and two squares within which are painted smaller landscapes with structures in background; inscription in front; all other sides have painted flowers; PL side has dra...

Date: 1815

Maker: Probably Sanford, Clarissa, 1799-1878 (Painter)

Material: bird's-eye maple, mahogany (wood), paint (coating), paper (fiber product), painting (image-making)

GUSN: 265966

Accession Number: 2002.59.1

Oil lamp

Electrified oil lamp with brass colored finish. Lamp has a baluster shaped body stamped with three rows of floral and geometric designs. Lamp has two small loop handles attached to the side. Handles are stamped with floral decoration. Lamp is attached to a square brass base with pierced decoration ...

Maker: unknown

Material: metal, brass (alloy)

GUSN: 266032

Accession Number: 2012.66.1

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