Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Tubal Furnace
Spotsylvania County, Virginia
1725
Cast iron
HOA: 24”, WOA: 36 ¼”, DOA: 7/8”
MESDA Purchase Fund (acc. 3956)

Iron furnaces were among the most prolific users of enslaved craftsmen. Alexander Spotswood (1676–1740) – former Royal Governor of Virginia and ironworks proprietor in Spotsylvania County, Virginia – made special mention in his will of the enslaved craftsmen working at the Tubal Furnace. “Whereas the said tract… called the mine tract is… appropriated for the carrying on an Iron work… it is necessary that at least Eight able working Slaves with twenty Children belonging to them should be annexed to the said Land and employed in the said Work…”

Learn more about this object in MESDA’s online collection catalog.

City Gazette and Daily Advertiser March 11, 1809 Charleston, South Carolina MESDA Research Center

Humphrey Sommers (1711-1788) Jeremiah Theus (c. 1719 - 1774) 1750 - 1755 Charleston, South Carolina Oil on canvas HOA: 30", WOA: 25" MESDA Purchase Fund (acc. 3974)

Storage Jar David Drake (c. 1781 – c. 1870) 1858 Edgefield County, South Carolina Alkaline-glazed stoneware HOA: 24 1/4”, WOA: 22”, DIA: 17 9/16” MESDA Purchase Fund (4317)

Face Jug 1855 - 1865 Edgefield District, South Carolina Alkaline-glazed Stoneware HOA: 5 7/8", WOA: 4 5/16" MESDA Purchase Fund (5366)

Fireback Tubal Furnace 1725 Spotsylvania County, Virginia Cast iron HOA: 24”, WOA: 36 ¼”, DOA: 7/8” MESDA Purchase Fund (acc. 3956)

Marble Top Sideboard Table Anthony Hay (active 1751 – 1766) and Shop Williamsburg, Virginia 1750 – 1755 Cherry, maple, yellow pine, marble HOA: 28”, WOA: 49”, DOA: 23" MESDA Purchase Fund (4013)

Coffeepot Alexander Petrie (c. 1707–1768) and Shop Charleston, South Carolina 1750–1760 Silver and wood HOA: 10 7/8”, WOA: 9”, DOA: 4 3/8” MESDA Purchase Fund (3996)

Coffeepot Alexander Petrie (c. 1707–1768) and Shop 1750–1760 Charleston, South Carolina Silver and wood HOA: 10 3/8”, WOA: 9”, DOA: 4” Gift of Frank L. Horton (2507)

Coffeepot
Alexander Petrie (c. 1707–1768) and Shop
Charleston, South Carolina
1750–1760
Silver and wood
HOA: 10 3/8”, WOA: 9”, DOA: 4”
Gift of Frank L. Horton (2507)

Tea Table Attributed to Robert Walker (c. 1710-1777) King George County, Virginia 1750-1760 Mahogany and Cherry HOA: 28 1/2", WOA: 30" Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Warmath in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Worsham Dew (3992)

Corner Commode Chair Robert Walker (c. 1710–1777) and Shop King George County, Virginia 1755–1760 Mahogany HOA: 31 ¾”, WOA: 30 ¼”, 26" Gift of Frank L. Horton (2921)

Storage Jar David Jarbour. (w. c. 1820–1841) Alexandria, Virginia 1830 Salt-glazed stoneware with cobalt decoration HOA: 27 3/4”, DIA: 14 1/2” Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Byron J. Banks (2964)

Breakfast Table James Woodward (1769–1839) and Shop Norfolk, Virginia 1819 Mahogany, poplar, white pine, sycamore HOA: 27 5/8”, WOA: 50 ¾”, DOA: 38" MESDA Purchase Fund (3813)

Fireback AERA Furnace York County, South Carolina 1778 Cast iron HOA: 24”; WOA: 23” Sprague Foundation Purchase Fund (3119)