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Green Sitting Room
This and adjacent bedroom contain most of Villa Finale's Mathis family-related and Victorian items. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
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Letter clips
A collection of metal Victorian letter clips.
Abraham Lincoln Letter ClipVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Abraham Lincoln letter clip
A cast metal 20th century metal letter clip with a right facing bust of Abraham Lincoln on the front and "LINCOLN" written below. The back of the clip is marked "5525".
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Phrenology Head
Phrenology head by Lorenzo Niles Fowler, ca. 1870.
Fowler Phrenology Head by Fowler, Lorenzo NilesVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Fowler Phrenology Head
A white ceramic phrenology head purported to be a rare original made by L. N. Fowler (c. 1870).
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Texas State Fair souvenirs
Souvenirs from the Texas State Fair purchased by the Mathis family, ca. 1870s - early 20th century.
Texas State Fair Souvenir (1906) by UnknownVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Texas State Fair Souvenir
A rectangular American cranberry and colorless glass paperweight engraved with "from Mama Tex. State Fair 1906".
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Collection of Fairings
These figurines were popular prizes or souvenirs found at English summertime country fairs. Because fair patrons were usually folks of modest means, fairings were sold for only a few pence.
Ceramic FairingVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Ceramic Fairing
A small ceramic figurine scene of a woman in front of a canopied bed about to spank a male figure. Fairings appealed to the intended demographic due to their depiction of British humor in domestic or political themes.
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Green Bedroom
Family and Victorian collections continue. (Scroll down to see collections highlights for this room.)
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Mathis family Bible
English version of the Polyglott Bible.
Mathis Family BibleVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Mathis Polyglott Bible
English version of the Polyglott Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments with the Marginal Readings, 1846.
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Thread spool holder
Victorian gilt-metal spool holder.
Victorian Thread Spool HolderVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Victorian Thread Spool Holder
A Victorian gilt-metal spool holder with a top hatted figural finial atop a pin cushion and two tiers of thread holders above chains on shell and foliate molded base supported by a seated cherub.
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Dresser items
A collection of dresser items, many having belonged in the Mathis family.
Camphene LampVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Camphene lamp
One of a pair of camphene lamps with pressed opaque white glass and gilt-metal oil lamps.
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Walter Mathis Bedroom suite
The Mathis Bedroom suite is located at the rear end of the hallway. It contains a full bath, bedroom, and sitting room.
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Display cabinet
The small display cabinet at the entrance of the Mathis Bedroom suite contains several ivory pieces.
Prisoner of War Ivory Cribbage Board (circa 1816) by UnknownVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Prisoner of war ivory cribbage board
A valuable and rare prisoner of war piece from Napoleonic wars. Two attached ivory tusks that make a cribbage board. Each side is carved with seals amidst icebergs.
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Mexican-American War prints
The Mathis bedroom contains several of these prints with scenes of the Mexican-American War.
Death of Capt. Walker, at Humantla in Mexico by Baillie, JamesVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Death of Capt. Walker, at Humantla in Mexico
Print by J. Baillie , "Death of Capt. Walker, at Humantla in Mexico. 'As he fell he exclaimed, Boys forward, and don't flinch a foot. I know I'am dying don't give way" Below the print is written, "Lith. & Pub. by J. Baillie / 87 St. near 3rd Avenue N. York"
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Texas china cabinet
This 19th century Texan cabinet contains a collection of transferware plates.
Green Transfer Plate, Napoleon in Battle by MasonVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Green transfer plate, Napoleon in battle
Green transferware platter, 11" "Napoleon" by Mason, ca. 1830's.
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Vaseline glass collection
Bowl and candleholders made of Vaseline glass.
Vaseline Glass BowlVilla Finale: Museum & Gardens
Vaseline glass bowl
A Vaseline glass faceted footed center bowl, from the 20th century.