Cradle. Joined oak construction, with turnings, moldings and chip-carved decoration. It has molded posts with carved finials, molded and gouge-carved rails and muntions, and plain rectangular panels. Taller head end with side brackets, head and foot boards with a single panel,; sides double-paneled; removable base supported by two slats. Rests on rockers.
cradles (children's beds)
oak (wood)
joining
pine (wood)
Bed
Bed, Child's
Cradle
Cradle
This oak cradle passed down in the Little family of the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, Massachusetts. It was made either for the first Little child born in this country, Sarah in 1652, or for her nephew John, born in 1680. It was made by the Jacques family, either father Henry, or son Stephen, depending on the date, and the design is consistent with either builder. It is considered one of the finest examples of seventeenth-century Newbury-made furniture in existence.
Original to Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm (Newbury, Mass.),
Possibly Jaques, Stephen (Maker)
Possibly Jaques, Henry (Maker)
32 1/4 x 25 x 34 1/4 (HxWxD) (inches)
Bequest of Amelia W. Little
1986.63
Massachusetts (United States)
Historic New England is committed to implementing reparative language description for existing collections and creating respectful and inclusive language description for new collections. If you encounter language in Historic England's Collections Access Portal that is harmful or offensive, or you find materials that would benefit from a content warning, please contact [email protected].