Fireplace Patent Model
date: label: date made
content: ca 1838
label: patent date
content: 1838-06-14
name: label: inventor
content: Whitson, Thomas
notes: label: Description
content: Patent model of a freestanding, raised-hearth fireplace having a detachable oval firebox with removable, fully-enclosed, picketed chamber. Firebox rests atop central recess in hearth directly in front of a conforming concave back covered with embossed metallic-gold paper featuring a trumpeting winged angel next to a rayed sun. Flue at top back of firebox inserts into a corresponding slot in mantel that connects to a horizontal smoke pipe, oval in section, behind the frieze. Large rectangular opening in hearth front allows access to ashpit; diamond piercings at front corners and sides. Entire model japanned black with "THOMAS WHITSON'S / INVENTION" stenciled in yellow or metallic gold paint on mantel top and frieze. Soldered and riveted construction.
label: Description
content: Paper tags tied to hearth with red and purple (faded) wove ribbon are printed and handwritten with patent information for U.S. Patent No. 784, granted to Thomas Whiston of New York, NY, on June 14, 1838, for "Constructing the Flues of Open Fireplaces".
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: New York, New York City
label: associated place
content: United States: New York, New York City
topic: label: Subject
content: Heating
label: Subject
content: Patent Models
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Domestic Life
label: See more items in
content: Domestic Furnishings
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: DL.251497 [dup1]
objectType: label: Object Name
content: fireplace
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: copper sheet (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: iron wire (grate, hearth rim material)
label: Physical Description
content: paint (exterior finish material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 4 7/8 in x 5 3/4 in x 3 1/4 in; 12.3825 cm x 14.605 cm x 8.255 cm