History: Collection

This page is under construction - please pardon our mess.

The Wake County Committee of the Colonial Dames purchased the Joel Lane house in 1927. When the mortgage was retired in 1932, the Dames began purchasing items for the house. Over the years different County Committees of the Colonial Dames and individuals have made gifts to the house. From its purchase until its major restoration, the house had been used for meetings and rented to individuals who lived in it. When the house was opened as the Joel Lane Museum House in 1976, it was furnished and fitted out with items appropriate to the late eighteenth-century era.

Unfortunately only a few items in the house have a connection to Joel Lane, as all of his personal property was dispersed and the house rented following his death. We do have an inventory of his personal possessions, including a list of the people he enslaved, which was taken at the time of his death. We also have a list of items sold at the estate sale. Both lists are invaluable in identifying objects that supported family and plantation life in 1795.


Click here to see the inventory and sale lists.
Click here to read Joel Lane’s will.

Catesby Prints

Catesby Prints

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Labeled Armchair

Labeled Armchair

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Lane Windsor Armchair

Lane Windsor Armchair

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Mosaic Pin or Brooch

Mosaic Pin or Brooch

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Platter with Blue Border

Platter with Blue Border

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Pewter Plate

Pewter Plate

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Walnut Table with Drawer

Walnut Table with Drawer

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Tin Tray

Tin Tray

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Three Butter Pats with Blue Edge

Three Butter Pats with Blue Edge

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Push-Button Candlestick

Push-Button Candlestick

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Metal Andirons

Metal Andirons

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Metal Trivet

Metal Trivet

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Pair of Push Button Candlesticks

Pair of Push Button Candlesticks

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Silver Tablespoon

Silver Tablespoon

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Child’s Chair

Child’s Chair

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Oval Iron Skillet

Oval Iron Skillet

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Large Iron Hanging Pot

Large Iron Hanging Pot

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Black Tin Lantern

Black Tin Lantern

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Garden Plan

Garden Plan

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China Press

China Press

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Pair Brass Candlesticks

Pair Brass Candlesticks

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Hinsdale Chest

Hinsdale Chest

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Walnut Side Table

Walnut Side Table

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Work Table

Work Table

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Brass Andirons

Brass Andirons

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Windsor Chair

Windsor Chair

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Looking Glass

Looking Glass

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Windsor Armchair

Windsor Armchair

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Walnut Tripod Candlestand

Walnut Tripod Candlestand

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Cherry Chippendale Chest

Cherry Chippendale Chest

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Linsey-Woolsey Coverlet

Linsey-Woolsey Coverlet

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Cherry Four Poster Bed

Cherry Four Poster Bed

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Green Painted Ladderback Chair

Green Painted Ladderback Chair

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Queen Anne Mirror

Queen Anne Mirror

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Brass Shaker

Brass Shaker

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Two Export Tea Bowls (Saucers)

Two Export Tea Bowls (Saucers)

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Pembroke Table

Pembroke Table

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Penny Foot Andirons

Penny Foot Andirons

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English Delft Bowl

English Delft Bowl

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Two Wedgewood Creamware Plates

Two Wedgewood Creamware Plates

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Pair of Creamware Compotes

Pair of Creamware Compotes

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Creamware Orange Bowl

Creamware Orange Bowl

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Bell Metal Andirons

Bell Metal Andirons

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Creamware Tazza

Creamware Tazza

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Brass Boudoir Candlestick

Brass Boudoir Candlestick

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Export Tea Set

Export Tea Set

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Silk Scarf

Silk Scarf

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Pair Fluted Candlesticks

Pair Fluted Candlesticks

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Smoke Lamp

Smoke Lamp

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Spongeware Plate

Spongeware Plate

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Brass Andirons with Flame Finial

Brass Andirons with Flame Finial

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Granddaughter’s Plate

Granddaughter’s Plate

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Brown Leather Box

Brown Leather Box

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Map of USA - 1795

Map of USA - 1795

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White Hand-Woven Bedspread

White Hand-Woven Bedspread

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Mahogany Tester Bed

Mahogany Tester Bed

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Dressing Mirror

Dressing Mirror

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Pair Delft Vases

Pair Delft Vases

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Delft Charger - Dutch

Delft Charger - Dutch

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Brass Candlestick

Brass Candlestick

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Rush Basket

Rush Basket

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Four Finger Vases (Two Pairs)

Four Finger Vases (Two Pairs)

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Clay Pipe

Clay Pipe

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Black Windsor Chair

Black Windsor Chair

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Brass and Wire Fireplace Fender

Brass and Wire Fireplace Fender

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American Silver Tablespoon

American Silver Tablespoon

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Delft Inkwell

Delft Inkwell

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Creamware Basket

Creamware Basket

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Creamware Sweet Dish

Creamware Sweet Dish

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Dutch Brass Tobacco Box

Dutch Brass Tobacco Box

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Salt Glazed Plate

Salt Glazed Plate

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Tobacco Packer

Tobacco Packer

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Flax Comb Hockle

Flax Comb Hockle

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Iron Fire Tongs

Iron Fire Tongs

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Liverpool Delft Tankard

Liverpool Delft Tankard

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Pair Brass Sconces

Pair Brass Sconces

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Flax Spinning Wheel

Flax Spinning Wheel

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Brass Wick Trimmers and Tray

Brass Wick Trimmers and Tray

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Black Wrought Iron Trivet

Black Wrought Iron Trivet

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Glass Decanter

Glass Decanter

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Eight Glass Wine Flutes

Eight Glass Wine Flutes

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Catesby - Cacao Print

Catesby - Cacao Print

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Pair Brass Sconces with Hurricane Globes

Pair Brass Sconces with Hurricane Globes

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Mahogany Tea Caddy

Mahogany Tea Caddy

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The Lives of the English Poets

The Lives of the English Poets

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The Plays of William Shakespeare in Eight Volumes

The Plays of William Shakespeare in Eight Volumes

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Coin Silver Serving Spoon

Coin Silver Serving Spoon

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Pine Blanket Chest

Pine Blanket Chest

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Walnut Chest

Walnut Chest

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Brass Candlestick of Flemish Origin

Brass Candlestick of Flemish Origin

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Chinese Export Tea Saucer

Chinese Export Tea Saucer

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Blue and White Woven Spread

Blue and White Woven Spread

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Bed Rope Tightener

Bed Rope Tightener

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Pair Push-Up Candlesticks

Pair Push-Up Candlesticks

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Corner Cupboard

Corner Cupboard

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Five Canton 9” Plates

Five Canton 9” Plates

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Japanese Round Tea Pot

Japanese Round Tea Pot

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18th-Century Bed

18th-Century Bed

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Mahogany Chippendale Side Chair

Mahogany Chippendale Side Chair

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Cupboard

Cupboard

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Polychrome Rotterdam Delft Plate

Polychrome Rotterdam Delft Plate

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Leeds Creamware Oval Dish

Leeds Creamware Oval Dish

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White Quilt with Crewel Border

White Quilt with Crewel Border

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Chinese Export China

Chinese Export China

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Brass Copper Pot

Brass Copper Pot

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Iron Fork

Iron Fork

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Black Metal Tongs

Black Metal Tongs

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Ladder Back Chair

Ladder Back Chair

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Blue and White Checked Coverlet

Blue and White Checked Coverlet

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William Lane Bible

William Lane Bible

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Hepplewhite Pembroke Table

Hepplewhite Pembroke Table

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Copper Kettle

Copper Kettle

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Bed Draperies

Bed Draperies

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Pine Travel Case

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Brass Wick Trimmers

Brass Wick Trimmers

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Pair of Cherry Chippendale Chairs

Pair of Cherry Chippendale Chairs

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Hand Mirror

Hand Mirror

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Pewter Tankard 1776

Pewter Tankard 1776

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Pewter Quart Tankard - F. Wells

Pewter Quart Tankard - F. Wells

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Hanging Griddle

Hanging Griddle

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Wooden Ink Sander and Sand

Wooden Ink Sander and Sand

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Candle Mold

Candle Mold

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Wrought Iron Candle Holder

Wrought Iron Candle Holder

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Bed Warmer

Bed Warmer

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Wooden Ink Sander

Wooden Ink Sander

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Pewter Plate #1

Pewter Plate #1

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Pewter Plate #2

Pewter Plate #2

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Pewter Plate #3

Pewter Plate #3

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Pewter Plate #4

Pewter Plate #4

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Pewter Porringer

Pewter Porringer

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American Meat Fork

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Spatula

Spatula

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Brass Ladle

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Iron Ladle with Hook

Iron Ladle with Hook

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Dough Trough

Dough Trough

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Reproduction Tricorne Hat

Reproduction Tricorne Hat

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Checkerboard and Pieces

Checkerboard and Pieces

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Wool and Linen Coverlet

Wool and Linen Coverlet

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Washstand

Washstand

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Pewter Basin

Pewter Basin

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Walking Wheel

Walking Wheel

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Wooden Dough Bowl

Wooden Dough Bowl

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Fringed Towel

Fringed Towel

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Fringed Tablecloth

Fringed Tablecloth

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Chamber Pots

Chamber Pots

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Pair Loop Back Windsor Chairs

Pair Loop Back Windsor Chairs

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Canton Tureen - No Top

Canton Tureen - No Top

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Three Large Canton Plates

Three Large Canton Plates

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Canton Punch Bowl

Canton Punch Bowl

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Large Scalloped Edge Punch Bowl

Large Scalloped Edge Punch Bowl

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Canton Ginger Jar

Canton Ginger Jar

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Ten Small Canton Dessert Plates

Ten Small Canton Dessert Plates

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Canton Platter 1

Canton Platter 1

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Canton Platter 2

Canton Platter 2

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Canton Sauce Boat

Canton Sauce Boat

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Small Diamond-Shaped Canton Covered Dish

Small Diamond-Shaped Canton Covered Dish

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Case Clock

Case Clock

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Canton Vegetable Dish

Canton Vegetable Dish

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Canton Vegetable Dish

Canton Vegetable Dish

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Canton Oval Platter

Canton Oval Platter

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Large Canton Tea Pot

Large Canton Tea Pot

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Canton Waste Bowl

Canton Waste Bowl

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Workman’s Bed

Workman’s Bed

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Floor Cloths

Floor Cloths

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Flip Glass

Flip Glass

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Creamware Plate

Creamware Plate

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Pearl Creamware Oval Basket

Pearl Creamware Oval Basket

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English Delft Plate

English Delft Plate

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Four Bone-Handled Knives & Four Forks

Four Bone-Handled Knives & Four Forks

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Two Whale Oil Lamps

Two Whale Oil Lamps

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Set of Six Creamware Plates

Set of Six Creamware Plates

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Salt-Glazed Stoneware Dish (Shape of Leaf)

Salt-Glazed Stoneware Dish (Shape of Leaf)

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18th-Century Silver Knife

18th-Century Silver Knife

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Catesby Four Fruit Prints

Catesby Four Fruit Prints

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Staffordshire Urn

Staffordshire Urn

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Pine Table

Pine Table

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Trammel

Trammel

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Wooden Rolling Pin

Wooden Rolling Pin

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Two Wooden Pestles

Two Wooden Pestles

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Wooden Mallet

Wooden Mallet

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Vine Barrel

Vine Barrel

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Red Dirt Dish

Red Dirt Dish

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Cotton Basket

Cotton Basket

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Ceramic Jug

Ceramic Jug

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Small Iron Hanging Pot

Small Iron Hanging Pot

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Brass Copper Pot

Brass Copper Pot

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Egg Basket

Egg Basket

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Wafer Iron

Wafer Iron

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Large Greenish Jug

Large Greenish Jug

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Pair of Walnut Chippendale Chairs

Pair of Walnut Chippendale Chairs

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New Hall Butterfly Tea Pot

New Hall Butterfly Tea Pot

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Red Dirt Bowl

Red Dirt Bowl

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Silver Punch Ladle

Silver Punch Ladle

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American Pewter Mug by Danforth of Conn.

American Pewter Mug by Danforth of Conn.

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English Salt-Glazed Stoneware Sauce Boat

English Salt-Glazed Stoneware Sauce Boat

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English Oak Bible Box

English Oak Bible Box

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Ofiicer’s Cutaway Coat and Tri-Corn Hat

Ofiicer’s Cutaway Coat and Tri-Corn Hat

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Hand-Forged Iron Kitchen Hook

Hand-Forged Iron Kitchen Hook

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George II / British Half Penny

George II / British Half Penny

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Gingerbread Mold

Gingerbread Mold

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Cherry Hepplewhite Dressing Stand

Cherry Hepplewhite Dressing Stand

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English Pewter Basin

English Pewter Basin

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Single Cruzie

Single Cruzie

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Spider Pan

Spider Pan

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Two Betty Lamps with Handles

Two Betty Lamps with Handles

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Continental Currency

Continental Currency

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Frying Pan

Frying Pan

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Laundry Paddle

Laundry Paddle

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Single Cruzie Lamp

Single Cruzie Lamp

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Frying Pan

Frying Pan

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Spider Pan

Spider Pan

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Five Dollar Note

Five Dollar Note

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Pewter Pitcher

Pewter Pitcher

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New Hall Tea Cup and Saucer

New Hall Tea Cup and Saucer

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Fireplace Fork

Fireplace Fork

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S Hook for Crane

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Footed Fireplace Fork

Footed Fireplace Fork

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Footed Fireplace Trivet

Footed Fireplace Trivet

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Fireplace Trammel

Fireplace Trammel

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Fireplace Trammel

Fireplace Trammel

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Wooden Paddle

Wooden Paddle

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Windsor Chair

Windsor Chair

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Six Windsor Chairs

Six Windsor Chairs

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Wooden Pestle

Wooden Pestle

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Sauceboat

Sauceboat

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Catesby Print - Ground Squirrel

Catesby Print - Ground Squirrel

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Catesby Print - Black Squirrel

Catesby Print - Black Squirrel

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Windsor Chair (2015)

Windsor Chair (2015)

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