In colonial America in the seventeenth through the eighteenth century, specifically in the period rooms in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the changing standard of decoration and function of homes reflects the rise of the consumer revolution. Though especially influential in the acquisition of luxury goods, the colonial infatuation with refinement and gentility coincides with the consumer revolution. In fact, a person’s gentility would often be defined by their possession of material goods. While the colonial consumer revolution is characteristic of the eighteenth century, the growing affinity for refinement and the acquisition of goods begins even in the seventeenth century. In evaluating the Pearl-Brown house, the Jaffrey house parlor, and
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The Brown-Pearl house, built in 1704, provides an example of a multifunctional home. Like most 17th century homes, this house has one central room where the inhabitants would sleep, eat, cook, and work, suggesting that colonists were not yet influenced by the genteel ideal of privacy. This room, almost completely made out of wood, shows an advantageous use of abundant materials. The wood structural elements like the floor and the beams are exposed and uncovered. Without the invention or a more effective stove, 17th century houses such as the Brown-Pearl home featured an enormous central fireplace and typically lacked windows as a strategy of retaining heat. With the exception of the cupboard, chest, and dressing box, which have some decorative elements like mixed types of carved wood, there is nothing overtly ornate in this house. Unlike later 18th century homes, the house does not have a distinct style or any unnecessary decorative pieces. Everything in the home, the beds, dresser, table, chairs, and fireplace has a specific use and function for the inhabitants. While there are many elements that make the Brown-Pearl house distinctly 17th century, the lack of privacy and luxury goods stand out, especially in the context of gentility. Whereas later homes have many rooms, each with a particular use, this …show more content…
Although the Jaffrey house does have separate specified rooms, in the parlor, there is some duality in function as the space is meant for work, business, and entertainment. While still evident, wooden structural work and supports are painted over and made to look decorative. Unlike the Brown-Pearl house, the Jaffrey house features a small fireplace adorned with decorative ceramic tiles. The wooden furniture in the room contains an extremely elaborate sculptural pattern that would most likely be very expensive, a stark contrast from the simplistic furniture in the Brown-Pearl house. Similarly, the many pictures hanging on the walls show the rise in decoration. The recurring splashes of red on the cushions on the seats illustrates an early form of a themed room, in addition to improving the quality of the chairs. Additionally the writing desk in the corner, an object of utmost gentility, reflects the education of the inhabitants and their time for leisurely activities, allowing the inhabitants to assert their wealth and refinement in this space for visitors. While definitely more genteel in comparison to the Brown-Pearl house, the Jaffrey house does borrow elements from the earlier 17th century. Despite being obscured, the presence of
The Brown-Pearl house, built in 1704, provides an example of a multifunctional home. Like most 17th century homes, this house has one central room where the inhabitants would sleep, eat, cook, and work, suggesting that colonists were not yet influenced by the genteel ideal of privacy. This room, almost completely made out of wood, shows an advantageous use of abundant materials. The wood structural elements like the floor and the beams are exposed and uncovered. Without the invention or a more effective stove, 17th century houses such as the Brown-Pearl home featured an enormous central fireplace and typically lacked windows as a strategy of retaining heat. With the exception of the cupboard, chest, and dressing box, which have some decorative elements like mixed types of carved wood, there is nothing overtly ornate in this house. Unlike later 18th century homes, the house does not have a distinct style or any unnecessary decorative pieces. Everything in the home, the beds, dresser, table, chairs, and fireplace has a specific use and function for the inhabitants. While there are many elements that make the Brown-Pearl house distinctly 17th century, the lack of privacy and luxury goods stand out, especially in the context of gentility. Whereas later homes have many rooms, each with a particular use, this …show more content…
Although the Jaffrey house does have separate specified rooms, in the parlor, there is some duality in function as the space is meant for work, business, and entertainment. While still evident, wooden structural work and supports are painted over and made to look decorative. Unlike the Brown-Pearl house, the Jaffrey house features a small fireplace adorned with decorative ceramic tiles. The wooden furniture in the room contains an extremely elaborate sculptural pattern that would most likely be very expensive, a stark contrast from the simplistic furniture in the Brown-Pearl house. Similarly, the many pictures hanging on the walls show the rise in decoration. The recurring splashes of red on the cushions on the seats illustrates an early form of a themed room, in addition to improving the quality of the chairs. Additionally the writing desk in the corner, an object of utmost gentility, reflects the education of the inhabitants and their time for leisurely activities, allowing the inhabitants to assert their wealth and refinement in this space for visitors. While definitely more genteel in comparison to the Brown-Pearl house, the Jaffrey house does borrow elements from the earlier 17th century. Despite being obscured, the presence of