Designing Domesticity

		Designing Domesticity: Decorating the American Home Since 1876 The House Beautiful A House For Everyone The Modern Pioneer Homestead The Millennial Mini-Mansion
		Exhibition Objects The House Beautiful (click title to return) Screen Door American, late 19th century Wood and fabric in fretwork design Lent Anonymously L2001.8.146 The American family home has long been considered a retreat, not only from the rigors of work or the dangers of the city, but also into nature itself. When this fretwork door adorned the entrance of a late nineteenth-century house, it reminded occupants and visitors of the inviting access to nature which properly placed houses allowed. As viewed from the sweeping front porches of Victorian house, Nature had long been held as the source of truth and beauty. Surrounded by well-kept gardens and lawns, and shaded by trees, the American house was designed so that its inhabitants could re-create around them Modern Gardens of Eden. Visiting Dress and Hat American or European, c. 1885 Sienna brown silk and wool trimmed with velvet; hat of brown straw trimmed with feather and velvet Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Judson G. Rosebush, 1986 KSUM 1986.91.2abcd Shown with: Parasol American, 1885 Brown satin trimmed with black lace; knobby wood stick Stamped: Alameda/Pat=d/May and Dec 1885 on metal riser Gift of Eileen Roth, 1986 KSUM 1986.57.1 Visiting Dress American, c. 1885 Olive green silke faille and velvet Label: Modes & Confections, Mme. D. Michaux, 166 West 23^rd Street Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.1.165ab Shown with: Parasol American, late 19^thh-early 20^th c. Black cotton sateen and lace; wood handle carved with snake head Gift of Mr. Wayne J. Vair, 1985 KSUM 1985.30.2 Hat American, c. 1880 Brown and olive green velvet trimmed with sienna wire and chenille ribbon Gift of Katherine W. Foote, 1993 KSUM 1993.62.3 This hat belonged to Mrs. W. S. Webb. Portière Modern fabrication Cotton velvet Courtesy of Brunschwig & Fils, Cleveland Showroom Cotton fringe Courtesy of Scalamandre, Cleveland Showroom Construction Courtesy of Nancy's Draperies, Marshallville, Ohio The portière, or door curtain, evolved from a functional use--to stop drafts in houses without central heating --to an aesthetic purpose--showing the taste and refinement of the occupants of the house. It was often used as a display medium for the needlework skills of the women of the house. Materials for portières included plush or velvet (as in the one in the exhibition), silks, linen, cotton, and the more exotic beads of Japan and the Far East. Stained Glass Window Ohio, 4^th quarter, 19^th c. Stained, etched and clear glass set in lead Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence D. Bain, 1986 KSUM 1986.139.1 Garden Chair English, early 19^th c. Cast iron, tub shaped on branch feet with lily of the valley pattern on chair back Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4f.757 Hallstand American, late 19^th c. Eastlake style in multiple woods Lent by the Geauga County Historical Society, gift of Mrs. Clyde Pomeroy L2001.27.1 Notes found in the drawer indicate the following: Huntsburg, from the Dick Denton Home. Card Receiver American, late 19^th-early 20^th c. Sterling silver filigree engraved "MDC" Stamped: Made expressly for the Hardy & Mayes Co., Pittsburgh; sterling 277 with hallmark of "M" imposed on curved sword Lent anonymously L2001.8.21 Side Chairs American, 19^th c. Eastlake style in oak; modern upholstery Lent by James and Betty Uber, Mercer, PA L2001.9.18, .19 Stereoscope and Stereograph American, late 19^th c. Wood and metal viewing device for achieving a three-dimensional image from two photographs held by clips on a sliding crossbar Lent Anonymously L2001.8.17ab Pedestal Table European, probably French, 19^th c. Empire style with black marble top with molding on round mahogany pedestal with brass ornament and triangular base Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4f.783 Tablecloth American, late 19^th c. Natural cotton tape lace Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.1.1345 Teapot, Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl Prussia, late 19^th c. White porcelain hand painted with floral pattern Marked: F S Prussia Lent by Marguerite Harris L2001.26,16ab, .17ab, .18 Still Life with Flowers on a Ledge Clément Gontier French, late 19^th c. Oil on canvas Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4f.691 This artist, born in Lavaur, France, studied with Jean Paul Laurens. He won a third class medal in 1904, and was known for his genre paintings. Child's Chair Probably American, 2nd half, 19^th c. Made of horn with burgundy velvet upholstery Lent Courtesy of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Youngstown, Ohio, 87.136.01 L2001.11.2 Tea Gown American, 1880s Dark green wool with red and gold threads; red silk Lent by the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, Helen Ward Clark Costume Collection, gift of Helen Cooper Faunce, 1972 L1995.17.17 Tea gowns were worn as informal dress to receive close friends at home. They often included historical references in their design such as the "Renaissance" sleeve puffs and front drapery on this dress. Crazy Quilt American, 1885-87 Patchwork quilt with burgundy silk ruffle and backing trimmed with ecru lace; embroidered with flowers, people, animals Inscription: Alta Houghton Pratt, Aged 59 BHP 1885 1887 Gift of Mildred Needles, 1988 KSUM 1988.1.8 Crazy quilts became popular after the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia. One theory advanced for this was the influence of asymmetry seen in the Japanese works on view. These quilts certainly employed eclectic motifs similar to those found elsewhere in the Aesthetic movement. Dressing Gown Japanese for the Western market, c. 1877 Gold silk taffeta quilted and embroidered with design of flying birds in red-violet silk; cord belt with tassel Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.1.199ab Japanese Screen Kano School, c. 1700 Six-fold painted paper screen with flowers on a gold ground on face and blue geometric pattern on reverse; black lavquere frame Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4f In "Exoticism" vitrine: Dinner Plate English, after 1883 John Heath Davis, Staffordshire Black transferware in "Chatsworth" pattern, registerd February 15, 1883 Lent Anonymously L.2001.8.125 Dinner Plate English, 4^thquarter, 19^th c. Stonier Hollinshead & Oliver, Staffordshire Red transferware on white ceramic, "Hanley" pattern Lent Anonymously L2001.8.145 Dinner Plate English, late 19^th c. Brown transferware with Orientalist scene in a mixture of Middle Eastern, Chinese and Japanese motifs Incised and marked: Copeland with a British crown Lent Anonymously L2001.8.2 Developed in England in the late eighteenth century, transfer printing allowed for the mass production of imaginative and intricate decoration of everyday ceramic wares. Transfer printing is a process in which a designed engraved on a copperplate is inked with enamel color and transferred to the ceramic surface by means of a thin paper. The ceramic pieces displayed here were manufactured during the late nineteenth-century Aesthetic movement, and employ both Oriental and naturalistic design motifs, examples of exoticism in the home. Cup and Saucer English, 1876-85 William Alsager Adderley, Staffordshire Dark green transferware in "Lyons" pattern, tinted rose, green, blue, and yellow Lent Anonymously L2001.8.124ab Party Service American (?), c. 1927 Punch ladle and two sauce ladles of sterling silver; hallmarked; morning glory design; ladles engraded with "AS" on back Lent Anonymously L2001.12.1abc; .2a-l Bowls Chinese, 19^th c. Cloisonné Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4.211ab
		A House For Everyone (click title to return) China Cabinet American, 1^st quarter, 20^th c. Mission style oak cabinet with mirror Stenciled on back: O & Co No 30 and F'D Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 KSUM 2001 Console Set American, c. 1924 Central Glass Co., Wheeling, West Virginia Canary satin glass; also known as "Vaseline glass" Tartar-Miller Collection KSUM 1983.5.113a-d Vase and Bowl Roseville, Ohio Roseville Pottery "Corinthian" pattern Gift of Paige Palmer, 2000 KSUM 2000.1.9., .10 Bowl Fenton Glass, Ohio, 1924 Red slag glass, impressed: Citizen's Mutual Trust Co., Wheeling, W. VA Gift of Leo Walters, 2001 KSUM 2001.31.1 Four Plates Japanese for the Western market, before 1921 Hand-painted ceramic Marked: Hand-painted Nippon Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.21a-d In 1891, the McKinley Tariff Act required all wares to carry the mark of the country of origin. In 1921, the words "Made in" were added. Nippon, the Japanese word for Japan, was sometimes used alone and sometimes added to the word Japan. Generally, after 1921, the words "Made in Japan" replaced "Nippon." Plate American, 1921 Hand-painted ceramic Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.20 This plate was a wedding gift to Dewey and Ethel Walker, January 26, 1921. Dishes English, 1^st half, 20^th c. Johnson Bros., "Pareek" Lent Anonymously L2001.12.26a-p Breakfast Set English, 1920s-30s Crown Staffordshire Teapot, chocolate pot, cup and saucer, egg cup, bread and butter plate, breakfast plate, covered dish in pale yellow with pink, green and blue floral pattern Lent Anonymously L2001.12.3-.9ab Mountain Purity Wallace Nutting American, 1920 Hand-tinted photograph Lent by Paul Miller L2001.28.3 Wallpaper Border American, 1927 Six border strips to be cut and applied Lent Anonymously L2001.8.130 This wallpaper design was reproduced for use on the walls in this section of the exhibition. Evening Dress American, about 1925 Orange silk chiffon beaded in a floral pattern Gift of the Helen O. Borowitz Collection, 1999 KSUM 1999.37.4 Shown with: Shoes American, 1920s Moiré faille Stamped: Nisley Gift of Mildred Chrin in memory of Anne Ondik Bacik, 1991 KSUM 1991.17.02 Lamp American, 1920s Glass shade in greens and yellow with painted filigree metal frame with repeated scenes; base of painted metal; two sockets Lent Anonymously L2001.8.128a-e Desk American, 1^st quarter, 20^th c. Mission style, oak Stenciled on drawer bottom: 953 Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 KSUM 2001 Letter Holder American, 1^st quarter, 20^th c. Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Co. Brass Lent Anonymously L2001.8.138 Side Chair American, 1^sthalf, 20^th c. Mission style carved oak Lent by Julia Boltz L2001.20.1 Where Grandma Was Wed Wallace Nutting American, 1908 Hand-tinted photograph Lent by Paul Miller L2001.28.8 Kitchen Stove Piqua, Ohio, 1920s The Favorite Stove and Range Co. White enamel with geometric and leaf decorations in orange, brown, green and yellow: two stove racks, one cooling rack, one drip pan, two trivets, one vent pipe The Favorite Stove and Range Co., Piqua, Ohio, style 8516 Lent Courtesy of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Youngstown, Ohio, 94-66 L2001.11.1 In 1900 most Americans had in their kitchens coal-fired ranged with solid hotplates above small ovens. Within a generation gas and electricity were available in urban areas, and the kitchen range no longer used solid fuel. Heating quickly, gas was a popular choice for cooking, while electricity was adopted for lighting. In 1915, the American Stove Company of Cleveland, Ohio, developed the first thermostat for gas ovens. The Lorain Oven Heat Regulator offered women the means to calculate efficiently temperature and cooking times. Day Dress American, c. 1925 Cotton printed in green with navy and orange geometric design Gift of the Youngstown Playhouse, in memory of Paul H. Kimpel, 1999 KSUM 1999.44.72 Toy Electric Stove American, c. 1935 Green and ivory enamel Lent by Miriam Redinger L2001.14.1 Kitchen Work Table American, 1920s Enameled top on wood base with center drawer Lent Anonymously L2001.8.26ab Mixing Bowl American, 1^st quarter, 20^thc. Pottery with a brown glaze Lent Anonymously L2001.8.30 Shoulder Mixing Bowls American, after 1926 McCoy Pottery Works, Roseville, Ohio Pottery: one with green glaze; one with yellow glaze; both incised in a checked ("windowpane") pattern Both stamped #4 and with a shield in a circle with the number 9 Lent Anonymously L2001.8.28 Rolling Pin American, 1^st quarter, 20^th c. Green glass, blown Lent Anonymously L2001.8.31 Cookie Cutter American, 1^st half, 20^th c. Aluminum and wood in the shape of a hatchet for cookies celebrating George Washington's Birthday Lent Anonymously L2001.8b Enamel Baking Pan American, 1^st half, 20^th c. Beige and green enamel, tin Lent Anonymously L2001.8.123 Emerging from World War I with knowledge of new technologies, the cookware industries in the United States and Europe began to manufacture lightweight steel cookware enameled in either beige or green with contrasting rims in a darker shade. These cookwares were lighter, heated more quickly, and lent color and a sense of cleanliness to the sanitary kitchen. Wallpaper Roll American, Joliet, Illinois 2^nd quarter, 20^th c. The Joliet Wall Paper Mills Floral motifs with Orientalist architectural elements on a yellow ground Lent Anonymously L2001.8.139 Embroidery American, 1^st quarter, 20^th c. "Home Sweet Home" satin stitch embroidery in silk on punched paper grid backed by foil; framed in oak Lent by Agnes Vavrek L2001.24.3 Kitchen Poem American, 1925 (Modern frame) Front the writings of Maurine Hathaway; printed by A. Buzza Motto Lent by Margaret Simone L2001.10.6
		The Modern Pioneer Homestead (click title to return) Teenage Girl's Party Dress American, 1955 Black wool jersey top trimmed in bright coral wool felt; matching coral felt circle skirt trimmed in black wool jersey Label: Retay, Boston, New York Lent Anonymously L2001.12.24ab "Tune Tote" for 45rpm Records American, 1950s Pink plastic case with paper record sheaths Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.14 Hanging Lamp American, 1950s Copper colored metal Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.18 Record Player for 45rpm Records American, 1950s RCA Victor Deluxe 3 Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.4 Record Holder for 45rpm Records American, 1950s Metal and covered wired Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.9 Kolub Canyons, Zion National Park, Utah Photograph by John Wagner Published by Impact Photographics From a postcard showing yellow flowering rabbitbush and the red rock of the canyon walls Butterfly Chair American, late 1950s Wrought iron with cotton canvas color Lent Anonymously L2001.12.25ab Pillow Cover American, 1950s Cotton printed with Western motifs Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.3 Little Boy's Cowboy Outfit American, c. 1950 Off-white rayon shirt trimmed in black rayon, white leather fringe, yoke embroidered on front with a Native American and a buffalo, back yoke embroidered with a horse's head, mountains and range-land; black rayon trousers Label: removed Gift of Elizabeth Seley Wold, 1999 KSUM 1999.62.20ab Shown with: Modern Boots of synthetic materials. Hat of green felt Holster of tooled natural leather (unmarked) Toy Cap Guns of silver metal and ivory plastic: one stamped "Daisy" and "made in the U.S.A." and one stamped "Nichol's Stallion 38" Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber Guns and Holster, L2001.9.11abc; Hat, L2001.9.27 Little Girl's "Hopalong Cassidy" Cowgirl Outfit American, 1950s Dress with white rayon bodice attached to black rayon skirt with black rayon bolero embroidered with "Hopalong Cassidy" in white; both trimmed with red and white piping; black wool felt hat stamped on front with "Hopalong Cassidy" and a longhorn steer head Label (in dress): Hopalong Cassidy by Love, and Best & Co., New York; (in hat) OFficial Hopalong Cassidy trademark registered by Bailey of Hollywood; 100% wool Gift of Elizabeth Seley Wold, 1999 KSUM 1999.62.21abc Shown with: Modern Boots of synthetic materials. Coffee Table American, mid-1950s Blond, wood-grained Formica; kidney-shaped Lent by J. Peter Wentz L2001.25.1 View-Master and Disks American, 1950s Plastic and paper Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.8a-f Tupperware Lidded Tumblers in Metal Carrier American, 1954 (tumblers); 1955 (lids) Tupperware Plastics, inc. "Millionaire Line" Lent Anonymously L2001.8.129a-m In 1947 House Beautiful featured Tupperware in an article "Fine art for 39 cents." Not until the "Tupperware parties" of the 1950s did the product succeed. In 1998, it was estimated that a Tupperware party occurred somewhere in the world every 2.2 seconds. Paint By Number Set Toledo, Ohio, 1954 Palmer-Pann Corp. Craft Master 1, 2, 3, oil painting set with 12 colors, unused by brush missing Lent Anonymously L2001.8.117 Day Dress American, 1956 White cotton printed with rooster design Label: Claire McCardell by Townley Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.1.440 The fabric for this dress was designed as part of a 1955 promotion for the American textile and fashion industry. Known as "Modern Master Fabrics," artists were asked for permission to use motifs taken from their works. Participating artists included Picasso (whose three-eyed rooster is the basis for the fabric in this dress), Chagallo, Miro, Leger, and Dufy. American fashion designers who used the fabrics included McCardell, Adele Simpson, Ceil Chapman, Molly PArnis, Jack Horwitz, Ann Fogarty, Tina Leser, Suzy Parette, and Roxane of Samuel Winston. Gossip Bench American, 1950s Wood covered in plastic Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.20 Princess-Line Telephone American, 1950s Western Electric for the Bell System Plastic Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.17 "Do-It-Yourself"Built-In Seating Built at the KSU Museum from plans typical of popular magazines of the period. Covered Wagon Lamp American, 1950s Wood and paper Lent by Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.18 Lazy Susan Snack Tray American, 1950s Aluminum with three plastic bowls Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.2, .11, .12, .13 Coronet Magazine American, January 1950 Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.7 TV Guide American, September 11-15, 1954 "Mind Your TV Manners!" by Amy Vanderbilt Lent by James Scichilone LL2001.7.21 Aluminum Christmas Tree and Color Wheel American, 1950s Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.20, .21 Television Set and Stand American, 1958 RCA Victor Deluxe Metal case in gold and blue; stand in a brass finish Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.1 Television, heralded as the new domestic hearth, certainly brought family and friends together. But how did the television affect manners? Should a friend "dropping in" to find the family enjoying a television viewing join the activity or quickly demur and depart? What if parents and children wanted to watch different programs? In 1954, TV Guide featured the advice of Amy Vanderbilt on these topics. Sunburst Clock American, 1950s Gold colored metal; modern works Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.19 *In the Fallout Shelter:* Child's Table and Chairs American, 1950s Table with chrome plated legs, yellow Formica top; chrome plated chairs with pink vinyl back and grey vinyl seat Lent by Carol Lawrence L2001,22.1, .2 ,.3 Radio American 1950s Zenith model L52OR Black and red plastic clock-radio with Civil Defense setting Lent Anonymously L2001.8.23 Civil Defense Poster American, 1959 U.S. Government Printing Office Lent Anonymously L2001.8.119 Poster advertising free booklet about constructing a family fallout shelter. Card Table and Chairs American, 1950s Wood, metal and plastic Lent by Roberta P. Ringer, Mercer, Pennsylvania L.2001.29.1a-c Army Blanket American, 1940s Olive drab wool Lent Anonymously L2001.12.27 Transistor Radio American, 1950s Motorola Gold colored metal and snake-skin case with plastic stand Lent by James Scichilone L2001.7.10 Cardboard Box Dated April 28, 1954 Shipping carton for Armour and Company, Chicago, Illinois, canned beef and gravy Lent Anonymously L2001.12.21 Survival Pak American, 1961 Survival Products, Inc. Unopened can containing a two-week supply of dextrose, salt, vitamins and minerals; first aid supplies and booklet Lent Anonymously L.2001.8.27 Life Pack Drinking Water American, 1950s-1960s H & M Packing Corp., Glendale, CA Unopened can of drinking water Lent Anonymously L2001.8.20 *Mr. Civil Defense Tells About Natural Disasters!* Booklet Graphic Information Service, Inc., NY, NY Lent Anonymously L2001.8.99 Life Magazine, September 15, 1961 "How You Can Survive Fallout" Lent Anonymously L2001.8.100 Civil Defense Booklets American, 1950-61 Survival Under Atomic Attack, n.d. U.S. Government Publication NSRB Document 130 prepared by the Federal Civil Defense Administration, and designed and produced by The Pitner Organization, Milwaukee, WI Home Protection Exercises, a Family Action Program, MP-2-1 (Misc. Publication) revised September 1958, U.S. Government Printing Office, Executive Office of the President, Office of Civil Defense Mobilization, first published March 30, 1959 Fallout Protection, What to Know and Do about Nuclear Attack, December 1961, Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense, U.S. Government Printing Office Atomic Bombing, How to Protect Yourself, by Science Service, Watson Davis, Jane Stafford, Marjorie Van de Water, Sam Matthews, Wadsworth Likely, New York, Wm. H. Wise & Co., Inc., 1950 Lent Anonymously L2001.89, .93, .94, .144
		The Millennial Mini Mansion (click title to return) Table Setting and Flatware Chinese, 2000 Made in China for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.; Martha Stewart Everyday Distributed by Kmart Corporation, Troy, Michigan Plates, bowls, napkin rings in celadon green; flatware, "Cottage" pattern in stainless steel and ivory colored plastic Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Founded in 1899 by Sebastian Spering Kresge as a five-and-dime store modeled after Woolworth's, Kmart has grown to over 2000 stores. In the 1990s Kmart shifted its focus away from lower-income customers and targeted middle-income families with children. Negotiation of exclusive Kmart ranges of leading brands such as Martha Stewart Everyday has successfully gained customer loyalty. Goblets American, 2000 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.; Martha Stewart Everyday Distributed by Kmart Corporation, Troy, Michigan Clear glass "Starburst" pattern Lent Anonymously L2001.12.15a-d Napkins Pakistan, 2001 Made in Pakistan for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.; Martha Stewart Everyday Distributed by Kmart Corporation, Troy, Michigan Cotton damask "Green Tea" in solid check design Lent Anonymously L2001.12.16ab Round Tablecloth American, 2001 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.; Martha Stewart Everyday Distributed by Kmart Corporation, Troy, Michigan Cotton/polyester fabric printed in pattern of "autmn-blooming hydrangea" in shades of lavender on pale green Lent Anonymously L2001.12.17 Countertop American, 2001 Formica® laminate color 7240, Parchment, and particle board; wood molding Michael Wajda Wood Products Manufacturing, Vernon, Ohio Formica® laminate, created by Formica Insulation Company chemist John D. Cochrane, Jr., in the 1930s, is a durable, inexpensive, easily cleaned, fire-resistant surface material available in different colors and styles. As the material if choice for many domestic surfaces, Formica® is ubiquitous is American houses. KraftMaid Fine Quality Cabinetry For the Home Middlefield, Ohio, 2001 "Fairview," natural maple finish Courtesy of KraftMaid, Middlefield, Ohio Soup Pot Italy, 2001 Ruffoni, distributed through Williams-Sonoma Hand hammered copper; tin lining Lent Anonymously L2001.8.133 Kitchen Utensils American (?), 2001 Made for Williams-Sonoma "Medium Silicone Spatula" with green removable, dishwasher proof head; "Medium Silicone Spoonula" with yellow removable, dishwasher proof head; both on wood handles; both tested to 500 F.° without melting or discoloring Embossed on yellow head: 123456789xyz0ß 1 and 7; embossed on green head: 123456789xyz 0ß0 and 8 Lent anonymously L2001.8.10, .11 Serving Pieces Del Mar, California, 2001 Stoneware basket shaped serving bowl that can be heated in the oven for 15 minutes at 350° F. and used for serving freshly baked breads; or can be used as a fruit bowl Hangtag: Each basket is handmade by the craftspeople at Eucalyptus Stoneware, Del Mar, California Lent Anonymously L2001.8.13 Tile Samples American or European, 2001 Distributed by Home Depot Ceramic Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Coffeemaker Swiss, 2000 Made especially for Starbucks Coffee Company Starbucks Barista® Utopia in "graphite" color; metal plastic and glass Lent Anonymously L2001.8.137 Gratin Baking Dish Chinese, 2000 Made in China for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.; Martha Stewart Everyday Distributed by Kmart Corporation, Troy, Michigan Cast iron and enamel Lent Anonymously L2001.8.132 Wall Clock China for the Western market, 2001 Designed by Michael Graves Distributed by Target Corporation Plastic Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Barstool Italian, 2001 Manufactured for Linon Home Products, Inc. Purchased at Target Maple frame with canvas seat cover Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Easy-Bake Oven American, 1997 Hasbro Plastic and metal Lent Anonymously L2001.8.116a-o Magazines Planning a Better Kitchen Creative Homemaker, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, 1997 *Distinguished Home Plans* HomeStyles®, St. Paul, MN, 2001 Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 The plans for the home in the millennial section of the exhibition are found in this magazine. Entertainment Library and Library Unit With Doors Archbold, Ohio, 2001 Sauder Woodworking "The Coventry Collection" Model #2583; Model #2584; washed pine finish Courtesy of Sauder Woodworking, Archbold, Ohio Vase Chinese, 19^th century Porcelain Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.1.216 Cachepôts Chinese, 19^th century Porcelain Silverman/Rodgers Collection, 1983 KSUM 1983.4.593a-d Recliner American, 2001 Lane Furniture Company Leather and oak in Mission Revival style Lent by Roger Simmons, Owner, Gilbert Furniture Co., Ashland, Ohio L2001.9.17 Three Zhang Squares American, 1999 Distributed by Dayton Hudson Corporation, Minneapolis, MN Dayton Hudson Brands, Inc. Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 B. J. Zhang, a multimedia artist, was born in China and educated at the Beijing Academy, in Japan, and In Australia.
		Vitrines Hospitality Through the Years The sight of a teapot warms one as much as the contents. The smell of coffee both soothes and invigorates. Tea and coffee, introduced into the American colonies in the seventeenth century, have long served as beverages of choice for entertaining. Whether taken at the end of a meal, or at "tea" or a "coffee break," these beverages have become symbols of conviviality. Teapots, coffeepots, sugar bowls, cream pitchers, and other affiliated wares bespeak the ritual of hospitality. Although the designs of these vessels have varied greatly across and through time, their purpose has remained true to the protocols of hospitality. Women, as wives, mothers, and hostesses, have carried these rituals from one generation to the next, as exemplified in the child's tea set displayed here. At the same time, teahouses and coffee bars have become busy Americans' public living rooms, offering a commercialized form of this ritual without the fuss of preparation, service, and clean-up. Card Cases American or European, late 19^th c. Filigree silver with calling cards; enamel inlaid with mother of pearl with calling cards Lent by the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio (Filigree case) L1995.17.920a-e, Gift of Gladys Sellew, 1970; (book style case) L1995.17.191a-c, Gift of Edith M. Dabb, 1950 Card Receiver American, 1875-85 Greensburg Glass Co., Greensburg, PA "Dew Drop" in points Lent by Paul Miller L2001,28.9 Teapot American or European, late 19th c. or early 20th c. White ceramic heavily ornamented with a variety of Orientalist motifs taken from both the NEar and Far East Lent by Marguerite Harris L2001.26.12ab Teapot, Cream Pitcher and Sugar Bowl Probably European, 19^th c. White porcelain with transfer pattern of floral medallions in a neoclassical style Lent by Marguerite Harris L2001.26.1-.8ab Teapot Japanese for the Western market, 1920s-1930s Black ceramic with multicolored floral decoration Lent by Judy Jerkich L2001.13.1ab Two Tea Sets American, 1935 Designed by Viktor Schreckengost Pirated editions manufactured in Japan for the Western market Teapot and hot water pot with matching plate of white curvilinear design in red and black surrounding flowerpots on steps and a doorway; stacked unit of same pattern on matching trivet including teapot, sugar and creamer Marked: Made in Japan Lent Anonymously L2001.0.24a-j Coffeepot and Table Setting English, 1950s Designed by Enid Seeney, 1957 Ridgway Potteries, Ltd., Staffordshire Black and white "Homemaker" pattern, "Metro" shape Lent by Dr. Shirley Teresa Wajda L2001.8.126a-f, .25 Popular in England, where Woolworth's enjoyed exclusive distribution rights, "Homemaker" was copied in the United States by Homer Laughlin but enjoyed little success. The fashionable home furnishings, such as the boomerang shaped end table, Robin Day reclining armchair, and conical plant holders reflect, however, contemporary designs available to Americans. Starbucks Coffee Mug China for the Western market, 2001 Dark green ceramic Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Bodum® Coffee Press Switzerland, 2001 Model distributed by Starbucks Plastic, glass and metal Purchase, Faith and James Knight Foundation Fund for "Designing Domesticity," 2001 Family Through the Years "Playing house" is more than a child's pastime. From an early age, children have learned how to keep house through the imitative play acting of the actions of "Mommy" and "Daddy." Certain toys have historically taught children gender-specific skills. Boys, through such activities provided by Lincoln Logs and Erector sets, learn the values associated with production and accomplishment. Girls, on the other hand, are caretakers and curators, tending to baby dolls and hosting tea parties on miniature furniture. The set of furniture displayed here has been passed down from mother to daughter over the span of three generations, and from Germany to Ohio. American families have played family-centered board games since the introduction, in 1843, of The Mansion of Happiness, An Instructive Moral and Entertaining Amusement. In this game, children learned that good deeds advanced their markers down the path to "eternal happiness," while bad deeds impeded progress. In 1860, Milton Bradley published 45,000 copies of a similar game, The Checkered Game of Life, and quickly found himself a wealthy man. The Checkered Game of Life rewarded good deeds and punished bad ones, and the goal of the game was to achieve a happy old age instead of financial ruin. In 1960, The Game of Life was issued by the Milton Bradley Company, in commemoration of its centenary. Today, the automobile-style markers have been replaced by minivans, and the game reflects contemporary consumer phenomena, such as e-commerce, the art market, and the status that owning a sport utility vehicle conveys. Whatever its changes, The Game of Life has remained consistent to its emphasis on family and financial security. Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow Award 1955 American, 1955 Gold-colored metal award brooch in the shape of three stalks of wheat with heart shaped pendant picturing a ranch house and yard in relief; original box Stamped: Trifari Shown with: Letter to "Carol" dated February 23, 1955, signed "Betty Crocker" Lent Anonymously L2001.8.122a-d The fictitious "Betty Crocker" was introduced in 1921 as a signature for the advice and information produced by the Home Service Department of the Washburn Crosby Company, a forerunner of General Mills. "Betty" was used because it sounded domestic and friendly, and "Crocker" was the surname of a recently retired company executive. By 1940, Betty Crocker was a household name. The best selling Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book, first published in 1950 and the first to employ photographs, taught a whole generation of women how to cook and bake. Miniature Furniture German, late 19^th c. Oak hutch, closet, table, bench, chairs Lent by Dr. Shirley Teresa Wajda L2001.8.136a-e Erector Set American, late 1950s Metal Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.17 Girl Scout Badges on Sash American, 1967-72 Cotton Lent Anonymously L2001.8.134 Game of Life® Board Game American, 2001 Milton Bradley, Hasbro Lent Anonymously L2001.8.135 *Style Through the Years* Houses have always been decorated, but not until the mid-nineteenth century did Americans participate in a national discussion of "proper" plans and decorative schemes for the nation's dwellings. Early authors of house plan books, architectural and builder's manuals, and household advice guides preached the power of the domestic environment to form the proper citizen. Decorating the American home was not only an aesthetic or moral responsibility. According to Catharine Beecher, who with her younger sister Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote The American Woman's Home in 1869, a properly furnished and styled house was a civic duty. The Beechers provided their readers with advice for every aspect of domestic life, but offered first a rationale for "uplifting" decoration. As the United States shifted more definitively to a market economy, the number of "household art" manuals and other publications dedicated to house decoration overwhelmed Americans. Charles Eastlake's Hints on Household Taste (1878) led the way, followed by treatises written by cosmopolitan authorities known for other accomplishments. The novelist Edith Wharton, for example, published with architect Ogden Codman, Jr., The Decoration of Houses in 1897. By the turn of the century the first generation of practicing interior designers would counsel Americans in the new simplicity, Elsie De Wolfe and Hazel Adler among them. Popular magazines featured the new simplicity in articles praising the bungalow and directing its decoration through photographs and advertisements of domestic interiors. And, although the building trades had always sought patrons through advertising, not until the rise of mass production did they offer consumers catalogues of "pre-built" dwellings. Throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, Americans have continued to consult a variety of sources to build and decorate their homes. It's ironic that a nation so committed to the ideals of individualism would rely so greatly on mass-produced decorating guides, on professionals, and on popular culture to teach creativity. Or that Americans would purchase houses in speculative developments in which the buildings little differed in plan or embellishment. Wallpaper Sample Book American, 1925, No. 3 & 4 Kayser & Allman, Philadelphia - New York - Minneapolis Wallpapers and coordinated borders will illustrated finished room views Lent Anonymously L2001.8.130 Home Decorator Cleveland, Ohio, 1958 Sherwin-Williams Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.11 The American Woman's Home: or Principles of Domestic Science; being a guide to the formation and maintenance of economical, healthful, beautiful and Christian homes Catharine E. Beecher and Harriet Beecker Stowe; New York: J.B. Ford and Co., 1869. Lent Anonymously L2001.8.140 Godey's Lady's Book Vol. XCVII No. 578, August, 1878 Godey's Lady's Book Publishing Company (Limited) Philadelphia, PA Kent State University Museum Library This single issue of the popular nineteenth-century magazine contains the plans for the house featured on the gallery label in "The House Beautiful" area of this exhibition. Modern Homes Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago American, c. 1915 Catalog for homes to be build with pre-determined and prepared materials, including two coats of interior paint Lent Anonymously L2001.8.143 *Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Book* Des Moines, Iowa: Meridith Publishing Company, 1956 Lent by Dr. Terrence L. Uber L2001.9.15ab *Aladdin Redi-Cut Homes* The Aladdin Company, Bay City, MI, 1961 Lent Anonymously L2001.8.5 Consumerism Through the Years Professional advertising began in the years following the Civil War. Since that time, the American family has been bombarded with images and texts extolling the virtues of a variety of household goods, from soap to kitchens. Trade cards, made possible by chromolithography, were popular late nineteenth-century images of the variety of new goods available through mass production. By the 1920s, advertisers employed the insights of psychology, market research, and customer surveys to chart the desires of American consumers. Advertising copy in popular domestic magazines questions the consumer about his or her personality (or lack thereof), the cleanliness of her household, or the fall in social status by not owning the right refrigerator. Manufacturers and retailers appealed to the consumer by offering free advice on decorating and lifestyle. The postwar housing boom of the 1950s re-energized the house building and home furnishings trades. Customizing one's house required knowledge for proper selection of appropriate furnishings. Salesmen also facilitated the choices of decoration suitable to one's pocketbook and one's lifestyle. Today, the home has never been more photographed than in the abundance of "shelter" magazines. Aimed at target consumer markets of various ages, incomes, and tastes, these periodicals have helped to define once again the American home. Bar of Ivory Soap American, 2nd quarter, 20^th c. Soap in original wrapper Lent Anonymously L2001.12.20 Trade Cards American, late 19^th-early 20^th c. White Sewing Machine Co. and Estey Organ Co. Lent Anonymously L2001.8.35, .38 Contents of Salesman's Sample Case Youngstown, Ohio, c. 1950 Miniatures manufactured by ideal Company for Youngstown Kitchens Briefcase with miniature plastic units to simulate kitchen designs with walls, windows and doors as well as cabinets and appliances Lent Anonymously L2001.8.120a-aa Card Receiver American (?) late 19^th-early 20^th c. Promotional piece for "Sweet Home Soap" Lent Anonymously L.2001.8.4 Salada Teapot American, 1920s-1930s McCoy Pottery Works, Roseville, Ohio Promotional gift from the Salada Tea Company Lent Anonymously L2001.8.7ab Coasters American, Summer 2001 Made for Target Corporation Advertising in the form of paper coasters Kent State University Museum Library King Korn Gift Catalog American, 1955 Grocery stamp redemption catalogue Lent Anonymously L2001.8.90 *Nest, a Quarterly of Interiors* American, Fall, 2001 Kent State University Museum Library *McCall's Magazine* American, September, 1928 Advertisement for "Sunbrite Cleanser" Kent State University Museum Library Gift of Carol Lawrence Return to Top