Hand towel, plain-weave linen, elaborately decorated with blue and red cotton cross stitch as well as drawn thread panels. Hanging tabs are plain-weave linen tape, 3/8" wide and very long.
Panel #1 has "MARIA" at the top flanked by large floral trees growing out of hearts. Second line reads: "MACDALLNA DAMY" and 3rd line is: "MY HAND AND NWEDLE." Below are 5 large tree motifs grounded on a horizontal embroidered line, followed by 8 small grounded trees.
Panel #2 is a drawn thread panel w/ cotton darn-stitched designs. Drawn threads stop short of sides -- unusual.
Panel # 3 has five blue and red motifs: star at center flanked by crowned peacocks, in turn flanked by geometric motifs.
Panel # 4 is a tripartite design: center has "HF" within an ornately embroidered red and blue heart, flanked by drawn thread panels w/ cotton darn-stitched trees surmounted by birds. (Initials stand for future husband Henry Fenstermacher, married the following year,1837.)
Panel #5 is very similar to panel #3.
Panel #6 is another drawn thread panel stopping short of sides, decorated w/ cotton darn-stitched geometric designs.
Panel #7 has upper case alphabet ending with the date 1836.
Panel #8 has three lines: "CHRISTOPHER/ DAMY CATHARINE/ DAMY A D 1836." (parents)
Plain self fringe at bottom has an applied short panel of linen with an elaborate knotted self fringe.
Made by Maria/Mary Magdalena Demmy (1811-1884).
Seller pinned on a note stating the mate to this towel (made by sister Elizabeth) was sold in the Rich and Joan Smith sale for $2400, inventory # CB29. Both towels illustrated in This is the Way I Pass My Time, p. 31.
Note: Older sister Maria/Mary Demmy's taufschein is P.06.15.1.
Platter of ironstone transferware with clear glaze. Rectangular with clipped corners, recessed bottom and moderately wide sides that extend outward. White body is devoid of decoration except for black transfer scene of a long bridge spanning a river, 5 people in foreground, town at right end of bridge and another in the distance on right bank. Underside has apparent impressed mark and transfer maker's mark at center: under a spread eagle with shield is a "sign" reading "COLUMBIA BRIDGE ON THE SUSQUEHANNA". Below it is "W.R.", indicating maker William Ridgway & Co. Sticker on bottom is: "$390" and "CLP". This river scene is a variation of the print done by William Henry Bartlett (see G98.12.21).
Shelton or Hanley, England
Provenance
Purchased in Adamstown Antiques Gallery for Heritage Center collection. Transferred from Heritage Center, December 2012.
Pair of English Queen Anne brass candlesticks, marked 'A' and 'B'.
Baluster shaft mounted on wide, square base with stepped edging. Circular indentation in top of base. Very low feet at corners. Vertical seams on shaft indicate cast parts. A and B differ slightly in height.
Details very worn. Candlestick 'B' is split at seam on shoulder below cup and split at both sides of candle cup top edge at seams. "A" has small split at lip seam. Both sticks have distortions at various places, especially at base and lip.
Object ID
P.78.86.2a-b
Place of Origin
England
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Purchased through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Pair of English Queen Anne brass candlesticks (A & B).
Baluster shaft mounted on wide, square base with gadrooning and stepped edging. Vertical seams on shaft indicate cast parts. Metal pin inside candle cup anchors candle. Metal pin protrudes on underside of 4.625 inch square base.
Coffepot (A) and lid (B) of blue transfer-printed pearlware. On a pedestal base is an octagonal pear-shaped body flaring back out at recessed rim. Gooseneck spout with cap at tip. High arching handle of C-scrolls. Domed octagonal lid has an octagonal knop/finial and tiny vent hole.
Transfer decoration is a Chinese scene with people, trees, water and pagoda with bridges. Additional decoration at top and base is a filigree-edged band dominated by 3-leafed vine.
Glazed soft paste porcelain teapot (A) with lid (B). Handpainted "Strawberry" pattern decoration on pale blue body - pearlware. Ovoid shape with neck leading to flared lip. Has molded gooseneck spout and applied handle. Slightly domed lip has flattened knob finial.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Staffordshire transferware sugar bowl in tureen form. Octagonal rounded body (A) sits on a pedestal; two molded applied handles at sides. Conforming domed lid (B) has cutout at one side for spoon and a molded finial on top. Black transfer pattern is a landscape with palatial buildings, trees, vegetation and distant mountains. Border is scroll design with narrow band of quatrefoil flowers and edged with Gothic crockets. Underside marked with pattern name "Missouri" above "B & S." A prominent English registry mark indicates the manufacture date of June 5, 1850.
Small molded transferware plate, hand-painted. White-bodied plate has recessed bottom with light green transfer decoration of a woman spinning outdoors near a house, two gentlemen, two small sheep and cow. Surrounding scene is "Fly pleasure and it will follow you. The diligent spinner as a large shift./ Now I have a Sheep & Cow every body bids me good morrow." A flaring rim is slightly hexagonal with scalloped edge painted with red lustre. Raised leafage and swagged beading have underglaze bright paint colors with alternating red, yellow, blue and green.
Provenance
Descent to Sarah Muench from family (likely Aunt Alice Potter Fordney, an antiques dealer).
Glazed soft paste porcelain teapot (A) with lid (B). Handpainted "Adam's Rose" pattern decoration on pale blue body - pearlware. Ovoid body sits on oblong pedestal foot. At neck is an extended collar. Crowned with flaring extension around upper opening. Molded gooseneck spout and applied handle. Domed lid has oblong shape to fit the opening. Topped with knob finial.
Impressed with "GOOD" (?) on bottom and incised "6" or "9". Later inscribed with "C 106" over "17.50". There is a nearby X.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Significant paint losses on some green leaves. Various hairline cracks aroung body, visible from interior as well. Bearing point of pedestal bottom is poorly glazed with some wear.
Object ID
G.98.51.30a-b
Place of Origin
England
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Glazed soft paste porcelain coffeepot (A) with lid (B). Handpainted "King's Rose" pattern decoration on pale blue body - pearlware. Inverted pear-shaped body sits on a pedestal foot. Wide shoulders curve in to form a neck above which is a round, flared mouth on which sits the lid. Leaf molded spout and applied C-scrolled handle both have red striping. High domed lid has acorn finial painted red. Decorated pink bands at neck and bottom or domed lid.
Impressed with "GOOD" (?) on bottom and incised "6" or "9". Later inscribed with "C 106" over "17.50". There is a nearby X.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Pedestal bottom is soiled with some wear. Minor soiling and interior staining. Small nicks and scratches to paint as well as significant paint loss at least on one green "leaf".
Object ID
G.98.51.21a-b
Place of Origin
England
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Glazed soft paste porcelain Gaudy Dutch teapot (A) with lid (B). Handpainted "Butterfly" pattern decoration on pale blue body of pearlware. Squat ovoid body sits on a low footring; body swells most in lower half. Collar extends outward below an oblong mouth fitted with conforming domed lid with oblong knob finial . Spout has minimal molding as does arching applied handle.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Overall strong staining, especially at lower spout and base section and interior. Strong hairline cracks throughout base and bottom, with resulting staining. Scratchon butterfly wing. Chip on underside of spout tip. Long split/crack on handle back, perhaps from firing. Coloring is very uneven at multiple places, sometimes creating a mottled effect. Wear and soil under foot ring.
Object ID
G.98.51.03a-b
Place of Origin
England
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Glazed soft paste porcelain Gaudy Welsh sugar bowl (A) with lid (B). Handpainted inverted tulips of red and yellow are interspersed with 3 large, dominating deep blue scalloped motifs decorated with copper lustre painted floral decoration. Squat pot-bellied body sits on a low squarish pedestal with scalloped edging. Two molded angular applied handles. Top has round mouth with flared collar extends outward. Domed lid has squarish molded knob finial. Darkened remnant of paper sticker with blurred writing, perhaps "-caster/ --ea set/ --1825."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Butterfly" pattern. Cup has nearly spherical shape and an applied foot ring. Decorated band of dark blue inside lip. Flower inside bottom. Outside as red butterfly set against elaborate floral design. Opposite side has a red flower above a decorated dark blue form.
12/12/2022: only cup
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Butterfly" pattern. Cup has nearly spherical shape and an applied foot ring. Decorated band of dark blue inside lip. Flower inside bottom. Outside as red butterfly set against elaborate floral design. Opposite side has a red flower above a decorated dark blue form.
12/12/2022: Only cup
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Double Rose" pattern. Cup has nearly spherical shape and an applied foot ring. Decorated band of dark blue inside lip. Flower inside bottom. Outside has reddish flowers and dark blue and green leaves. All sides have elaborate floral designs.
12/12/2022: only cup
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Double Rose" pattern. Cup has nearly spherical shape and an applied foot ring. Decorated band of dark blue inside lip. Flower inside bottom. Outside has reddish flowers and dark blue and green leaves. All sides have elaborate floral designs.
Only cup (12/12/2022)
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Adams Rose" pattern dominated by a large red flower as well as other flowers and leaves. Inside lip are two fine lines of rust. Cup has nearly straight sides, and attenuated base on an applied foot ring.
(B) Saucer has offcenter red flower surrounded by other flowers and leaves. Double line border at top of inside.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
(A) Cup has curved sides and foot ring. Sides dominated by one large orange/red flower composed of round clusters set atop a dark blue form. Additional flowers and leaves around sides. Wide band inside lip has small clusters of the same flower.
(B) Saucer of same pattern
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Glazed soft paste porcelain handleless teacup (A) and saucer (B), Gaudy Dutch "Adams Rose" pattern dominated by a large red flower as well as other flowers and leaves. Inside lip are two fine lines of rust. Cup has nearly straight sides, and attenuated base on an applied foot ring.
(B) Saucer (5 3/4" dia.) has offcenter red flower surrounded by other flowers and leaves. Double line border at top of inside.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.