Skip to main content
Woman's Watch Chain
Woman's Watch Chain

Woman's Watch Chain

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Mary Woodruff American, 1810 - 1880
Textile MakerMade by Unknown
Date1832
MediumHand-woven glass beads, cotton thread, and a brass clasp
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length when closed x width): 33 x 1/2in. (83.8 x 1.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
DescriptionBead watch chain, woven on a bead loom. The ribbon-like chain is worked in translucent white beads, with designs in red, green, and white. In addition to various diamond and geometric shapes, the designs include a cross, anchor, and heart (representing faith, hope, and charity), two temple-like buildings, a key (representing knowledge), conjoined hearts, and leaves. The chain closes with a brass barrel-shaped hooked clasp. The maker also worked her name and the date into the design (see "Marks").
Object number2002.157.2
InscribedWoven into design: "Mary L. Woodruff 1832".NotesHistorical Note: Mary Lewis Woodruff was the adopted daughter of Miles and Isabinda Peck Lewis. When her adopted father died, she inherited the Miles Lewis house, at least for use during her life time. The house, in Bristol, Connecticut, is now the site of the American Clock and Watch Museum.
On View
Not on view
Beaded Ribbon Watch Chain
Jay Humphrey Filley
about 1835
Community History Project Collection, 2022.20.22b, Connecticut Historical Society, In Copyright…
Peter Moran
2022 July 8
Gift of Dr. Timothy P. Beers, 1845.30.0  Photograph by David Stansbury.  © 2010 The Connecticut…
Fox Family
1661
Girl's Mittens
Clarissa Brown Barrows
about 1875
Purse
Northeastern Woodlands People
about 1838-1850
Woman's Shoes
Goodsell family
about 1885
Sampler
Caroline Jones
9 July 1832
Sampler
Mary Hine
1832-1833
Sampler
Abigail Stanley Roberts
1830
Sampler
Abigail Ursula Wooster
1824