Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Broadside printed on white wove paper (now darkened) has bold title at top: "Haus-Segen." The smaller subtitle of two lines reads: "Das mogen meine Kinder lesen,/ Wenn ich in der Erde thu' verwesen." (Apparently "These words are something my children should desire to read when I am moldering in the grave".)
Within a variant of the Greek key border is the printed text, done in old German type. Underneath the two titles there are two columns of text, each with 28 lines. Text is a religious theme done in rhyming couplets. The name "David L. Beiler" is printed at bottom right. Beiler is most likely an Old Order Amish printer.
Broadside had been folded back along all four sides to make it fit a wooden frame (not original, since other screw holes indicate a previous use). Old acidic cardboard backing was originally used as a backing for an early 20th century photo of a group of firefighters dressed in full uniform with musical instruments, titled "Junior Fire Company -- Reading, PA." Photocopy of fire company in object file.
Provenance
Seller purchased broadside at Horst Auction, April 16, 2003, a sale of household goods consigned by Ruth E. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Morris A. Stoltzfus). There were a number of Amish items for sale that seller believes the family obviously had in storage for many years. Morris and Ruth Stoltzfus were far removed from Morris' Amish roots and would not have valued or displayed them. Mrs. Stoltzfus has since died (6-25-03). See obit. in object file.
Clarke Hess says David Luthy (Canada) would know who this David L. Beiler was. The 3 candidates in the Fisher book appear to all be too recent.
Darkened, some "bleached" damp-stained corners & edges, minor foxing. Embrittled and fragile; all edges folded over with resulting tears including nearly detached section at center left and upper left. Involved tear extends upward from bottom, 2" from bottom right corner. Another is 1" to left of upper right corner. Several interior tears at "Haus" and as well as several holes (near lower left corner and throughout lower right quadrant. Paper strip 1 1/4" wide pasted along upper edge at fold line. Acidic cardboard backing removed. Later conserved by Maria Pukownik (returned Feb.2004 - CD w/ photos in file). Then framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Object ID
P.03.20.2
Notes
David Luthy is an Old Order Amish writer and editor for Pathway Publishers. (Their address: 10380 Carter Road, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R3). Clarke E. Hess suggests contacting him to learn the identity of David L. Beiler.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Hepplewhite blanket chest of walnut with dovetail construction. Hinged lid with centered inlaid eagle in flight and applied molding on three sides. Eagle is heavy in form, without shields, banners or stars. Front and sides undecorated except for hollow corner rectanglular cartouches of string inlay; one on each side and two on front.
Two drawers below the mid-line molding have the same inlay rectangles as well as bail handles and oval lock escutcheons. The left drawer has a "1" on the bottom in red chalk and an illegible pencil inscription. The right drawer has a "2" in the same place and in red chalk. Applied base molding and supported by French feet.
Cannot open chest due to missing key. John Snyder reports that "Fianna Bitzer" is written on the inside of the chest lid. She was born in 1861, the daughter of Martin and Annie Royer Bitzer of Ephrata Twp. Although Bitzer was a later owner, Snyder believes that the chest was originally in the Bitzer or Royer families.
Note: John Snyder states that there is a small group of Lancaster County chests and a desk with eagle inlays like this one. This is the best documented piece of the group.
Northern Lancaster County, likely Ephrata area
Provenance
Chest was purchased by John Snyder from Greg Kramer at the York Antiques Show in May 1993. Kramer had just purchased it at Alderfer Auction Co. May 20, 1993. Snyder then sold it to his mother Evelyn Snyder who donated it to the museum.
Has significant cracks, especially on front side where a midline crack extends entire length of chest. Front has inlay losses; in unstable condition; reglued in Jan. 1996 by Clifford Clayton, as well as repair to damaged feet. Dark stains and marring on lid with molding loss at front right. Water spots and worn finiah across lower section of front and feet. Strong wear overall. Old refinishing. Hardware appears to be replaced. No key for opening chest.
On 10/11, discovered extreme detaching of proper right front foot, partially on front left foot and minimally on back left. Reseated all nails but replaced one short rose-head nail at front section of proper right foot w/ modern box nail. It will not penetrate farther, however, and is not properly seated) Old nail placed in envelope in drawer.
Object ID
G.94.19.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Evelyn R.G. Snyder, Heritage Center Collection
Chest, red-painted poplar on four straight bracket feet. Lid with molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate at each end. Till at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a very thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription with geometric floral/star motifs. Inscription: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On underside of the lid, left side, is a pasted-on fraktur (6.5" x 8"), hand-drawn, hand-colored, hand-lettered, on laid paper. Text within a rectangular frame at center of document, flanked by two people: at left is a woman wearing a red gown and bonnet, and on right is a man wearing a red coat, knee breeches and tricorn hat. Red and blue flowers above.
Fraktur has a "sponsor's letter" text done for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster Co. Document was given to Barbara by the godparents / sponsors, whose names appear at upper left and lower right corners: Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. Central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file). This form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas according to Pastor Weiser.
The maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur was done by Sussel-Washington artist (active c.1760-1779).
Provenance
Chest was purchased by seller, H. William Koch, in approximately June, 1979, at a sale near Harrisburg. It is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet. Several other similar chests (see file).
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. The edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
P.79.103.1
Notes
Pictured on p. 180 of Corinne & Russell Earnests' Fraktur: Folk Art & Family, 1999.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Bonnet-top high chest, walnut w/ yellow pine and poplar secondary wood. Pegged frame and panel construction. A bonnet top broken arch pediment surrounds the tympanum with a central round, concave shell carving. Large orb finial on plinth centered within broken arch. Upper section has five graduated drawer sections consisting of three small drawers over two drawers over three long single drawers, all cock-beaded with bail brasses and escutcheons. Pulls not original; ghosting visible of original brasses. Quarter columns have wide chamfers with double fluting.
Upper chest rests on stepped-out lower chest having one long drawer flanked by two small ones and two more small drawers below these. Cutout apron at bottom. Very wide chamfered & fluted quarter columns. Cabriole legs with trifid feet and stocking detail.
Make is unknown.
Lancaster County, probably Churchtown area
Provenance
Chest originally belonged to the Old family, prominent ironmasters of Lancaster and Berks Co. It may have been owned first by James Old (1730-1809) or one of his children. The chest later passed from Miss Harriet Old to the Hopkins family at Conowingo Furnace, Drumore Twp., Lancaster County.
Overall abrasions, scars and small losses of wood. 4" crack in pediment, left of finial. Significant grouping of gashes 4"x 3" spanning 2nd & 3rd level drawers, at left. Entire front of top chest detaching from sides. Piece at top of left stile, under cornice, is broken & poorly repaired. Deep horizontal 7" crack on left side of base unit. Vertical crack entire length of right side of top. 1 12" long gouge on stile of right front leg. White flecks on right front leg. Brasses tarnished with some rust.
Object ID
P.78.76
Notes
Exhibit label information:
John J. Snyder, Jr. suggests many points of similarity with a Q.A Phila. highboy owned by diarist Christopher Marshall who brought chest along with him when he moved to Lancaster Co. "on the eve of the Revolutionary War." (Winterthur collections). This chest may have inspired the design of the Old chest.
Wide fluted chamfered corners similar to a Q.A. secretary (G.03.1.1) formerly owned by the Jenkins family of Churchtown. Similar to a case of Geo. Hoff clock w/ brass face, and similar to casework by some Phila. and Maryland cabinetmakers.
Snyder notes that cockbeaded edges on drawers suggest a later date than expected (c. 1770-1790). This type in Phila. was being made c. 1740-1760.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Usage
Old family
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
