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This collection brings together museum grade historical objects prepared for visual storytelling. Rooted in Detroit’s industrial and domestic past, each artifact is curated within a larger material system and preserved for camera ready use. Objects are available for editorial, stage, film, and institutional loan, offering authenticity that cannot be replicated.
Domestic Systems
Interwar Vanity Set
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century domestic vanity culture, or approved placement. Interwar Vanity Mirror and Silverplate Basket Set United States or Europe c. 1925–1940 Nickel-plated or chrome-plated metal mirror, pressed or cast metal frame; silverplate basket with pierced lattice body and applied decorative motifs Dating & Attribution This grouping consists of a freestanding adjustable vanity mi
Wire-Rim Eyeglasses
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on optical technology, or approved placement . Wire-Rim Eyeglasses with Case United States or Europe, c. 1920–1940 Gold-filled metal wire frame, glass lenses, adjustable nose pads, velvet-lined hard case Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a pair of wire-rim eyeglasses , likely dating to the early twentieth century , approximately circa 1920–1940 . The dating is supported by
Devilbiss Atomizer
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century medical devices, or approved placement. DeVilbiss Medical Atomizer Set United States, 1905–1925 Glass reservoir, rubber bulb, metal spray nozzle, printed cardboard packaging, instructional ephemera Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a DeVilbiss medical atomizer set , commonly referred to as “The DeVilbiss Outfit,” produced in the United States duri
Musical Powder Box
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on domestic vanity culture and novelty mechanical objects, or approved placement. Mechanical Music Box Vanity Tin United States or Europe, c. 1938–1955 Embossed metal powder container with integrated mechanical music box movement, brass base, stamped patent reference Patent Reference: U.S. Patent 2,009,804 Stamped Base Number: 2009804 Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a musi
Zither Harp
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on early twentieth-century domestic music culture, or approved placement. Hudson–Fulton Special Zither Harp Manufactured by Oscar Schmidt Company Marketed through Chickering & Sons United States, c. 1909–1915 Stained wood body, steel strings, decorative transfer ornament, printed instructional ephemera Dating & Attribution This instrument is identified as a Hudson–Fulton Special Zither Ha
Hammered Brass Boot
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on Victorian decorative metalwork, or approved placement. Hammered Brass Boot Umbrella Stand England or United States, c. 1885–1910 Hammered sheet brass, formed panels with wire-laced seam, applied spur element Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Victorian boot-form umbrella stand , produced approximately between 1885 and 1910 , during a period when novelty household metalwo
Pince-Nez Eyeglasses with Beaded Case
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on optical history, or approved placement. Pince-Nez Eyeglasses with Beaded Case United States or Europe, c. 1880–1915 Gold-tone metal pince-nez frame with glass lenses, attached retaining chain, decorative beaded spectacle case Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a pair of pince-nez eyeglasses , a style of vision-correcting spectacles that rests on the bridge of the nose wit
Esquire Shoe Care Chest
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, design history research, or approved placement. Esquire Shoe Care Chest (with Brushes and Polish) United States, c. 1948–1958 Stained wood case with printed label, horsehair brushes, cotton polishing cloth, metal tin polish Note: Missing one original dauber (dobber); otherwise complete. Dating & Attribution This object is identified as an Esquire Shoe Care Chest , manufactured in the United States
Throat Atomizer
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, medical history research, or approved placement. Standard’s Throat Atomizer United States, c. 1895–1925 Glass reservoir, nickel-plated brass fittings, rubber compression bulb, internal glass tube Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand-operated medical throat atomizer , manufactured in the United States by the Standard Drug Company and commonly marketed under the name Standard’s T
Chicago Pencil Sharpener
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Chicago Automatic Pencil Sharpener (Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company) United States (Chicago, Illinois), c. 1910–1935 Cast metal body with enamel finish, steel internal gearing, hand-crank mechanism Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand-cranked Chicago Automatic Pencil Sharpener , produced by the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company (APSCO) of Ch
Shannon Arch Clipboard
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Shannon Arch Clipboard United States, c. 1890–1915 Hardwood board, cast iron arch clip, steel wire springs Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Shannon Arch Clipboard , a patented paper-holding device widely used in offices, factories, schools, and commercial settings in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Based on construction methods,
National Washboard co. Atlantic no. 510
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Atlantic No. 510 Glass Washboard Date late 1940s–early 1950s United States; Wood and glass. Dating & Attribution This washboard is best dated to the late 1940s through early 1950s, based on branding, material choice, and manufacturing geography. The board is clearly marked “Atlantic No. 510 – National Washboard Co. – Chicago / Memphis.” The National Washboard Company
The Reeves Suction Sweeper,
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. The Reeves Suction Sweeper, United States Milford, Connecticut c. 1910–1914 metal, wood Dating & Attributions The Reeves Vacuum Cleaner Company, based in Milford, Connecticut, was active in the production of hand-powered suction sweepers between approximately 1904 and 1916, with peak manufacturing and marketing occurring around 1910–1914. During this period, Reeves s
Brass Jardinière / Cachepot
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Brass Jardinière / Cachepot with Lion Mask Handles England or Continental Europe, c. 1870–1895 Hammered brass, applied cast lion masks, paw feet Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a brass jardinière (also known as a cachepot) and is attributed to the late Victorian period (c. 1870–1895). The dating is supported by its material, decorative vocabulary, c
Coal Scuttle
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Coal Scuttle England, c. 1870–1900 Painted tin or iron (japanned finish), cast feet, decorative finials Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a coal scuttle and is attributed to the late Victorian period (c. 1870–1900). Its dating is supported by its tall, upright form, sloped lid, japanned black finish, and ornamental detailing, all of which align with c
Victorian Child Blocks
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Alphabet Building Blocks England or United States, c. 1860–1895 Compressed wood with incised lettering and hand-applied pigment Dating & Attribution These alphabet building blocks are attributed to the mid-to-late Victorian period (c. 1860–1895) based on a combination of material composition, typographic style, decorative treatment, and educational intent. The deeply
Student Lamp (Candle)
Status: Available for Loan Consideration f or exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Transitional Student Lamp (Candle / Early Oil Configuration) England, Germany, or United States, c. 1840–1875 Brass, turned metal components, candle and oil fittings Dating & Attribution This student lamp is attributed to the mid-nineteenth century (c. 1840–1875) and identified as a transitional student lamp , designed to accommodate candle illumination while incor
Hand Agitator/ Laundry Posser
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Hand Agitator / Laundry Posser United States or United Kingdom, c. 1870–1910 Galvanized metal cone, turned wooden handle Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a hand laundry agitator , commonly known as a posser , and is attributed to the late nineteenth to early twentieth century (c. 1870–1910) . Its dating is supported by material composition, stamped
Doll Stroller
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Doll Stroller / Child’s Doll Carriage England or United States, c. 1865–1890 Painted metal, wood, iron wheels Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a doll stroller and attributed to the mid-to-late Victorian period (c. 1865–1890) based on its scale, construction, and close correspondence to contemporary full-size baby carriages of the nineteenth century.
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