RevolutionCrossroads/si_us_revolutionary_era_collections huggingface dataset:
1790 - 1810 Pieced Wool Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Quilt
date made: 1790 - 1810
maker: unknown
place made: World
Physical Description: fabric, wool (overall material)
thread, wool, silk, linen (overall material)
filling, wool (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 90 in x 85 in; 229 cm x 216 cm
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schwartz
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: This pieced wool quilt is actually an example of a cleverly designed recycling or repair of a damaged or worn quilt. The original quilt was made of light green, salmon, dark blue, and gray-green wool, all glazed, but only the dark blue corners retain their glaze. At a later date, a pieced pink and brown wool panel complete with its original filling, lining, and quilting stitches, was added across the top.
The lining consists of 6 large segments of plain woven wool or wool and linen; one segment is a plain woven horizontal stripe. The quilt is wool filled and quilted. The quilting patterns are different between the top added panel (7 stitches per inch) and the main body of the quilt (8 stitches per inch). Linen thread was mainly used for seaming; wool thread for quilting. The quilt is bound with 1/2" straight strip of green wool whipped to front and lining; the top added panel is bound with green wool twill-woven tape.
The quilt was part of a larger donation of 18th and 19th century textiles that included coverlets, rugs, printed fabrics, white-on-white embroidered counterpanes, and blankets among other items.
1800 - 1810 Rachel Woodrow's Whitework Quilt
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: quilt
date made: 1800-1810
maker: Woodward, Rachel
place made: United States: Pennsylvania
Physical Description: fabric, cotton (overall material)
thread, linen (overall material)
filling, cotton (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 104 in x 97 in; 264 cm x 246 cm
Credit line: Gift of Mr. A. W. Molton
Topics: Quilts
Furnishings
Textiles
Description: According to family information, Rachel Woodrow crafted this example of a quilted and stuffed-work bedcover. Outlining the center is a meandering vine with baskets of flowers and vines. This is framed by a band of large quilted and stuffed diamonds. A plain white border of diagonal grid quilting, 9 stitches per inch, completes the counterpane.
Little is known of Rachel Woodrow. Donor information says that she died in 1812 in the area of Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and is buried in that cemetery. The family information claims a relationship to Woodrow Wilson. Rachel’s legacy is a finely executed needlework example of the early 19th century.
cup; saucer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: cup
saucer
date made: 1772
maker: Frankenthal
place made: Germany: Rhineland Palatinate, Frankenthal
Physical Description: blue (cup color)
blue (saucer color)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (cup material)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (saucer material)
gilt (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall cup: 1 15/16 in x 3 13/16 in x 3 3/16 in; 4.92125 cm x 9.68375 cm x 8.09625 cm
overall saucer: 1 3/16 in x 5 3/8 in; 3.01625 cm x 13.6525 cm
Credit line: Dr. Hans Syz
Sèvres porcelain teapot and cover
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Teapot
date made: 1789
1788
place made: France: Île-de-France, Sevres
Physical Description: blue (overall color)
polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 11/16 in x 6 5/8 in x 3 3/4 in; 11.8745 cm x 16.8275 cm x 9.525 cm
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Furnishings
teapot
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Teapot
date made: 1778
place made: France: Île-de-France, Sevres
Physical Description: blue (overall color)
polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 25/32 in x 6 1/4 in x 3 3/4 in; 12.1539 cm x 15.875 cm x 9.525 cm
Credit line: Mrs. W. A. Sutherland
Worcester porcelain Shakespeare mug
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Mug
date made: 1770
place made: United Kingdom: England, Worcester
Physical Description: monochrome, brown-gray (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, porcelain, soft-paste (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 4 3/4 in x 4 7/8 in x 3 5/8 in; 12.065 cm x 12.3825 cm x 9.2075 cm
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Furnishings
Paris porcelain coffee cup and saucer
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: cup
saucer
date made: 1805-1810
c.1800-1810
place made: France: Île-de-France, Paris
Physical Description: red (saucer color)
scrollwork (joint piece description of decoration)
scrollwork (overall description of decoration)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (cup material)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (saucer material)
gilt (overall production method/technique)
red (cup color)
Measurements: overall cup: 2 1/2 in x 3 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in; 6.35 cm x 8.255 cm x 6.35 cm
overall saucer: 1 1/4 in x 5 3/16 in; 3.175 cm x 13.1445 cm
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Furnishings
Paris porcelain candlestick
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Candlestick
date made: c. 1810
place made: France: Île-de-France, Paris
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, porcelain, hard-paste (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 7 1/8 in x 5 1/8 in x 2 1/2 in; 18.0975 cm x 13.0175 cm x 6.35 cm
Topics: Manufacturing industries
Industrialization
Art
Furnishings
Jelly Mold Core
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: Jelly Mold
jelly mold core
jelly Mold Core
date made: 1778-1800
place made: United Kingdom: England
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 9 in x 7 in x 7 in; 22.86 cm x 17.78 cm x 17.78 cm
Topics: Social life and customs
Colonization and Settlement
Family
Furnishings
Food
Description: This creamware core for a jelly mold, in the form of a pyramid or obelisk, was made after 1778 by Neale & Co in Staffordshire, England, and was used to make table center decorations for fashionable dining. The Wedgwood manufactory made similar items, and in the late 18th century, American consumers purchased most of their fine pottery and china from dealers who imported goods from England.
The outer section of the mold is missing, but this decorated core was positioned on a rim inside the outer core. With the assembled mold inverted, liquid calves’-foot jelly was poured into the cavity through the holes. When the jelly had set, the mold was turned upright, and the outer core gently lifted off, allowing the floral pattern to appear through the transparent wall of jelly.
In the later 19th century, the Victorian passion for colorful edible jellies took hold, generally made in copper or tin molds. Table decorations made of molded marzipan, sugar paste, butter, ice, ice cream, and jelly were often highly elaborate, and their use in banqueting has a long and colorful history. The pyramid, or obelisk, was a motif that appeared in designs for table decorations from the 16th to the early 19th centuries. Eighteenth-century European porcelain and fine earthenware manufactories produced figurines and table centers in imitation of earlier decorations made of sugar paste.
With our thanks to food historian Ivan Day, of Historic Food at Wreay Farm near Penrith in Cumbria, England, please see www.historicfood.com to see how this item was used in the 18th century.
Tea Caddy
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: caddy, tea
date made: 1790
maker: Wedgwood, Josiah
place made: United Kingdom: England, Etruria
Physical Description: monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 4 3/16 in x 2 7/8 in x 2 in; 10.63625 cm x 7.3025 cm x 5.08 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Military
Description: This transfer printed creamware tea caddy was made by Josiah Wedgwood of Stoke-on-Trent, England during the 1780s or 1790s. The tea caddy (a small container used to hold loose tea) is decorated with a portrait of George Washington on one side and a Continental soldier on the other. In the portrait George Washington is in his uniform that he wore as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. On both sides of the print are banners that read “HIS EXCELLENCY / GENERAL WASHINGTON.” Beneath the print is an additional descriptive statement, “Commander in Chief of the forces of the United States.”. On the other side of the tea caddy is a transfer-print of a uniformed soldier holding a musket. Behind him is a cannon, stack of cannon balls, and the cannon’s firing tools. The print of Washington included on this tea caddy is copied from an engraving based on Pierre Eugene Du Simitière’s portrait of Washington executed in black lead on February 1, 1779. Robert H. McCauley purchased this tea caddy from Edgar H. Sittig, an antiques dealer from Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA, on June 29, 1942 for $52.50.
Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Pitcher, "United We Stand"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 11 9/16 in x 9 5/8 in x 6 7/8 in; 29.369 cm x 24.4475 cm x 17.4625 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Military
Description: This pitcher is one from a set of 100 that were specially ordered in 1790 by Samuel Jenks, a captain of the Boston Fusiliers. The pitcher features a print of a soldier of the Boston Fusiliers, wearing a red faced blue coat, bearskin cap, and white breeches. He carries a sword and holds the flag of the Fusiliers. Above the soldier’s head is the motto of the Fusiliers: “AUT VINCERE AUT MORI,”—either to conquer or die. Below the soldier is the statement “Success to the Independent Boston Fusiliers, Incorporated July 4th 1787- America for ever.” Above the soldier is a collection of masonic icons. On the reverse is a smaller print of the Great Seal above a print depicting the allegorical figures of Peace, Liberty, and Justice. Below the print is an image of agriculture and commerce surrounded by the words “United we stand Divided we fall.” Below the spout is a generic transfer print of the Great Seal of the United States. Founded in 1787 by veterans of the Revolutionary War, the Boston Fusiliers served as an honor guard for patriotic and political events in and around the city. Jenks was a member of King Solomon’s Masonic Lodge in Charlestown, MA. Many of the other fusiliers were masons as well, hence the masonic imagery on this pitcher. Robert H. McCauley purchased this pitcher from Mrs. Breckenridge Long of Laurel, MD for $250 on May 25, 1940.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Pitcher, "Col. Jacob Smith"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 9 1/4 in x 9 in x 6 1/2 in; 23.495 cm x 22.86 cm x 16.51 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: Freemasons
McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Military
Description: This transfer-printed creamware bowl was made by Fletcher Shelton of Staffordshire, England during the early 1800s. The interior base of the bowl depicts an American sailing ship. On the outside of the bowl are three transfer prints—two of George Washington and one of a boat on a canal. The first depicts George Washington stepping on a lion, representing his defeat of Great Britain. Second is a portrait of George Washington flanked by the allegorical figures of Liberty and Justice. Justice proclaims, -“Deafness to the Ear that will patiently hear & Dumbness to the tongue that will utter a Calumny against the immortal Washington.” Liberty is pointing to Washington as she says, “My Favorite Son.” Below the portrait is the statement, “Long live the president of the United States.” Both maritime designs and celebrations of George Washington are common themes on Liverpool creamware. Robert H. McCauley purchased this bowl from Sara B. Clutz of Gettysburg, PA on July 13, 1940 for $55.00.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Pitcher, "An Emblem of America"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
date made: ca 1800
maker: Herculaneum Pottery
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 10 1/4 in x 10 in x 6 1/2 in; 26.035 cm x 25.4 cm x 16.51 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Politics
McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Description: This transfer printed creamware pitcher was made by Herculaneum Pottery in Liverpool, England around 1800. On the front is a print of the Cooper’s Guild Coat of Arms with the motto “Prosperity attend the integrity of our cause” below on a banner. On the reverse is the print titled “An Emblem for America.” It depicts the allegorical figure of Columbia holding a flag and showing two dark skinned Native Americans (who served as iconography for the Western Hemisphere). To Columbia’s left are portraits of men involved in the discovery of North America and the founding of the United States: Christopher Columbus, “Americus” Vespucci, Sir Walter Raleigh, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. Under the spout is a print declaring “Peace and Commerce” an images of the all-seeing eye, the French and American flags knotted, and two hands clasped in a handshake. Just above are the initials “JS.” The print “An Emblem for America” is based on an engraving in a series by John Fairburn of London. Robert H. McCauley purchased this jug from the Boston Antique Shop of Boston, MA on December 30, 1938 for $75.00.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Pitcher, "Washington/Independence"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
date made: 1800-1805
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: polychrome (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 12 3/8 in x 12 3/4 in x 9 in; 31.4325 cm x 32.385 cm x 22.86 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Freemasons
Politics
McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Description: This large creamware pitcher is extensively decorated with transfer prints. On the front is a polychromed print of a map of the United States flanked by George Washington and the allegorical figure of Liberty on one side and Benjamin Franklin and the allegories of Justice and Wisdom on the other. Also included in this print are a herald, a striped flag, as well as a liberty cap. The print is signed “F. Morris Shelton.” On the reverse is a polychrome American sailing ship. Under the spout is a print featuring Masonic symbols, with a stanza from Edward Rushton’s 1806 poem “American Independency” that reads “As he tills your rich glebe, the old peasant shall tell / While his bosom with Liberty glows / How your WARREN expired __ how MONTGOMERY fell / And how WASHINGTON humbled your foes.” The map transfer print is drawn from the legend of a map of the United States published by John Wallis of London in 1783.
This jug was made in Staffordshire County, England between 1806 and 1812. Robert H. McCauley purchased it from Parke Bernet Galleries of New York, NY on March 31, 1944 for $100.00, as part of the George Horace Lorimer collection (item no. 514). Lorimer was an editor of The Saturday Evening Post from 1899 to 1936.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.
Pitcher, "Apotheosis"
Collection: National Museum of American History
Object type: pitcher
date made: 1800
place made: United Kingdom: England, Liverpool
Physical Description: monochrome, black (overall surface decoration color name)
ceramic, earthenware, refined (overall material)
transfer printed (overall production method/technique)
Measurements: overall: 9 1/2 in x 8 1/2 in x 6 in; 24.13 cm x 21.59 cm x 15.24 cm
Credit line: Robert H. McCauley
Topics: Government
Social reformers
Politics
McCauley Liverpool Pottery
Furnishings
Description: The “Plan of the City of Washington” depicts the figures of Britannia and America examining the street plan of the District of Columbia. Britannia is shown pointing to the site of the Capitol building. The print is based on the street plan designed by Pierre Charles L’Enfant and completed by Andrew Ellicott in 1792. Finally, under the spout is a transfer printed medallion with the words, “A MAN / without example / A PATRIOT / without reproach” drawn from Thomas Paine’s “An Eulogy on the Life of General George Washington.” This jug was part of the George Horace Lorimer Collection and was purchased by Robert H. McCauley from Parke Bernet Galleries in New York on March 31, 1944 for $75.00. Lorimer was an editor of The Saturday Evening Post from 1899 to 1936.
This pitcher is part of the McCauley collection of American themed transfer print pottery. There is no mark on the pitcher to tell us who made it, but it is characteristic of wares made in large volume for the American market in both Staffordshire and Liverpool between 1790 and 1820. Pitchers of this shape, with a cream colored glaze over a pale earthenware clay, known as Liverpool type, were the most common vessels to feature transfer prints with subjects commemorating events and significant figures in the early decades of United States’ history. Notwithstanding the tense relationship between Britain and America, Liverpool and Staffordshire printers and potters seized the commercial opportunity offered them in the production of transfer printed earthenwares celebrating the heroes, the military victories, and the virtues of the young republic, and frequently all of these things at once.