John Fenno, Jr.
Fire Bucket

Fire Bucket

Public Domain

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
On view

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
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.

There are no works to discover for this record.