John Fenno, Jr.
Fire Bucket

MakerAmerican, 1732–1812
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Fire Bucket
Date1815
Made inBoston, Massachusetts, United States
MediumLeather, iron, oil paint, and varnish
DimensionsTo rim of bucket: 13 1/4 × 9 × 8 1/2 in. (33.7 × 22.9 × 21.6 cm)
With handle standing upright: 20 × 9 × 8 1/2 in. (50.8 × 22.9 × 21.6 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Michael C. Linn Family Foundation at "One Great Night in November, 2012"
Object numberB.2013.1
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Folk Art Room
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
DescriptionWith a mythical phoenix painted on the front and “ANCIENT FIRE SOCIETY” across the top, this fire bucket refers to the company that was organized in 1743 by a group of citizens in Charlestown, Massachusetts. At the beginning of the 1700s, mutual fire societies were founded by householders who banded together to protect their homes and businesses. These groups persisted through the mid-1800s when they were replaced by salaried brigades. The Society’s Rules and Regulations (1815) clearly stated that “Each member shall constantly keep together in a convenient place in his dwelling house, two leather buckets, and two bags,” the latter referring to the cloth sacks that were used to salvage possessions. This bucket is stamped by its maker, John Fenno, Jr., who made it for Joseph F. Tufts, a local leather tanner.
ProvenanceJosephine and Walter Buhl Ford II, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan; [Sotheby's, New York, Ford Sale, October 6, 2006, NO8267, lot 9]; […]; [Nathan Liverant and Son, Colchester, Connecticut]; purchased by MFAH, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Inscribed on front: ANCIENT SOCIETY / FIRE / JOS. F TUFTS / 1815
Inscribed on back: No. 2
Stamped on back: I. FENNO

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Bellows
c.1825–1850
Wood, leather, paint, and brass
B.91.26
Fireplace Shovel and Tongs
c. 1790–1810
Brass and iron
B.2010.6.1,.2
Blackjack
17th–18th century
Leather
B.62.18
Bellows
c. 1785–1815
Mahogany and unidentified inlay; white oak, leather, and brass
B.83.1
closed
1831?
Leather, tacks, wood, newspaper, tin?
B.76.159
Sewing Box
c. 1840–1870
Tin, brass, and paint
B.2002.15
Sewing Box
c. 1820–1870
Cardboard, velvet, and paint
B.2002.17
Oshele (Currency Blade)
c. 1875–1925
Iron
2022.13
Folding Spoon with Case
17th century
Mother-of-pearl and silver, leather case with stamped gold foil
BF.2009.1.A-.C
Overall.
c. 1570-1580
Green bubble glass, boiled cardboard, embossed leather, fabric
BF.2023.5.A,.B
Sewing Set
Tiffany & Co.
c. 1910
Metal, leather and fabric
93.274.A-.J
Telescope
Peter Dollond
c. 1790
Brass, glass, leather, and sharkskin
2018.371