White oval-shaped platter with a .25-inch band of gold around the edge. An inner border wavy- line decoration of gold has been rubbed of on one side. There is a 1.25-inch center gold design of a three-stemmed plant. Between the border and the curve/dip of the serving portion of the platter, embellished with cuts of pairs of alternating short-long slots lend a lattice-like fancy edge to the platter.
Light tan earthenware sectional spittoon with darker "runny" slip or glaze finish. On bottom is impressed "Eagle Porcelain Works / Lancaster PA / Henry Gast S.Q. ST."
Heavy iron key, reported to be a key to the old Lancaster County jail located at Prince and West King Streets. Key has a round shaft with a swell near the center and several decorative rings and score marks. Paddle-like extension near tip for throwing the tumblers of lock. Handle is shaped like an oval ring.
Good condition overall with pitting over surface. Wear is evident overall, especially along shaft where decorative rings are diminished. Gold paint remains in corners and crevices.
Object ID
G.02.49
Notes
There were two office visits by men presenting a key purported to be the Lancaster Jail key:
1. Walter Hager McGovern, Jr., age 68, a descendant of a Hager who was sheriff of Lancaster Co. File on handle was "XXVI". It was slightly longer and heavier than ours (G.02.49.1).
2. Kevin Perrett of Reading presented a copy of a notarized statement by Rosanna E. Rohrer of Lancaster who sold him the key. She obtained the key from her grandfather Capt. Edward Edgerly, former mayor of the City (1878-80). It was stamped "J.F. REMLY" four times on the handle, was 8 5/8" long with the same configuration at the working end as ours and had knurled rings on shaft.
Yellow earthenware lobe-paneled spittoon decorated with streaked and spattered dark brown manganese under a clear lead glaze. Oval drain hole on side. Underside has impressed maker's name in block letters: "Eagle/ Porcelain Works / Lancaster City, PA / Henry Gast, S.Q. St. "
Figural tobacco jar with container and lid both forming the bust of an Arab, a dark-skinned, bearded man with head dress. Hollow-molded earthenware, painted and clear-glazed overall except for most of face.
Underside has impressed number "7671."
Provenance
Descent to Sarah Muench from family (likely Aunt Alice Potter Fordney, an antiques dealer).
Some small chips on bottom edge and surfaces that meet between lid and base. Larger chip beginning to break at base section's proper left side at top edge. Light crazing. Wear and soil on base; interior has minor soil.
Object ID
G.04.23.14
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Miniature toleware tin box with hinged, domed lid fitted with a hasp at front and a pull ring at top. Red painted ground. Red striping separates upper and lower panels on front: above is a yellow ground with a stylized foliate design of red and green; below are yellow banana-like crescents which continue on box ends.
Strong paint losses overall, cracking and flaking. The left rear hinge is detached, despite the attempt to resolder it. Solder joint at right rear corner of lid is broken and joint separated.
Object ID
G.98.14.3
Place of Origin
Probably Southeastern PA
Credit
Gift of Drs. Irwina and M. Susan Richman, Heritage Center Collection
Tole painted tin box with hinged, domed lid fitted with a hasp at front and a large ring pull at top. Red painted ground overall except underside. Front painted with a stylized design of yellow and black leaves with a pink and white flower at each end. Ends have a "twisted rope" decoration in an X configuration. Lid top has similar twisted design of black and yellow bordering a central foliate design of yellow and black.
Interior solder repairs on hinges and pull ring. Extensive points of paint loss due to chips, scratches and other abrasions. Lid is especially weathered with oxidized paint. Inside strongly oxidized at bottom and sides.
Object ID
G.98.12.5
Place of Origin
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of Mrs. S.R. Slaymaker II, Heritage Center Collection
Octagonal tin tray with straight sides projecting out at about 45 degrees; rolled edge. Center seam. On red-painted ground is a large central decoration of black and yellow fruit and foliate motifs. Tray sides have repeating pattern of loose S-scrolls in yellow. Underside of tray is black. Three inscriptions: "Elizabeth Altland 1862" in German script at one end; name repeats at opposite end in English script with differing date of "1862." At center seam is "Matilda Altland." Also, white tape with "HJK" (donor).
Probably border area between Adams and York Counties.
Decoration attributed to Altland family.
Provenance
Clarke Hess stated (Sept 2011) Altland families concentrated in border area between Adams and York Counties. Some were also gunmakers.
Tinsmith Mark Hammond examined tray on 8-29-05 and observed that early sheets of tin were 10" x 14", necessitating a seam across bottom. "Double size" sheets of 20" x 14" he thinks were available c. 1830s, although these large sheets would have been more expensive.
Touch-up paint decoration evident. Multiple drops of unknown liquid have resulted in small round paint voids on one side of tray. Strong wear on rim. Underside has many scratches and strong wear.
Object ID
G.86.6.2
Credit
Gift of Henry J. Kauffman, Heritage Center Collection
Low rectangular softwood box with top and bottom boards extending beyond sides. Constructed with glued butt joints and square head nails. Painted black with large tulips of yellow, red, white and green decorated top and sides. Hinged lid attached with wire hinges and secured at front with handmade tin hasp. The initials "I R" are painted at upper center of lid. The unpainted bottom is inscribed in pencil, "Jacob H. Reist 1800." Interior unfinished.
Border of Lancaster and Berks counties.
Paper inside: "This box attributed to Heinrich Bucher 1770-1800/Reading, Berks Co."
Provenance
Unknown. Presumed to have been collected by donor at a sale in this region. Heinrich Bucher is now believed to have only been an early owner of this box type, not the maker.
Nov. 15, 2002 - Peter Seibert and Susan Kleckner compared about ten Bucher-type boxes & observed that this box is painted with larger flowers and also there is repetition in the use of flowers, unlike the other nine boxes. Perhaps this box was done later in the maker's career.
Roughly fashioned polychromed softwood miniature trinket box of rectangular form. Domed lid hollowed out underneath and ends fitted with conforming caps. Wire hinges and wire loop at front with missing tin hasp. Corresponding wire loop for hasp on box front. Box sides constructed of rabbet joints secured by two wood pegs at front and two at back. Beveled bottom board attached with two pegs and extends beyond box sides. Top and four sides each have a floral motif of dark green, cream, ochre and red all on a tan ground. Glossy varnish overall except for bottom and interior. Indecipherable initials painted on bottom.
Probably Lancaster County
Provenance
Purchased by donor at Lancaster County sale. At least four other examples known. See example in collection #1973.003.2
Possible maker is Peter Brubacher (1816-1898), shoemaker and woodworker in Clay Township.