Animation of the Day: Smoking Pipe with Masonic Symbol from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

Today’s animation is a clay smoking pipe with Masonic symbol that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned in the archaeology laboratory at Montpelier on July 8, 2015.  As James Madison himself was not a Mason, Dr. Matthew Reeves, director of archaeology at Montpelier, notes there are two possibilities for the origin of this pipe: 1) it may have belonged to one of Madison’s guests, or 2) it may have to a member of the enslaved community at Montpelier, as suggested by descendants of this community that helped recover the smoking pipe.

Animation of the Day: Another Sherd with Bamboo and Peony Pattern from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is another  sherd with a bamboo and peony pattern that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned and edited by the Virtual Curation Laboratory’s Rachael Hulvey, now an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, who also made this animation.

Animation of the Day: Sherd with Bamboo and Peony Pattern from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is a sherd with a bamboo and peony pattern that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned and edited by the Virtual Curation Laboratory’s Rachael Hulvey, now an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, who also made this animation.

Animation of the Day: American Indian Smoking Pipe from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is an American Indian smoking pipe that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.The design on this pipe suggests that it is non-local in origin.

Animation of the Day: Rim Sherd with Bamboo and Peony Pattern from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is a rim sherd with a bamboo and peony pattern that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned and edited by the Virtual Curation Laboratory’s Rachael Hulvey, now an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, who also made this animation.

Animation of the Day: Retaining Wall from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is retaining wall foundation that was recently recovered archaeologically at James Madison’s Montpelier. The curve in the wall and its placement next to the mansion house indicates that it was an important component of the visual landscape at this site.  It was scanned on October 1, 2014 using a Sense 3D scanner.

Animation of the Day: Blue Willow Pattern Rim Sherd from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is rim sherd with a Blue Willow Pattern that was recovered archaeologically from James Madison’s Montpelier. It was scanned by Rachael Hulvey, who created this animation.

Animation of the Day: Furniture Tack from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

 

Today’s animation is a furniture tack that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned and edited by the Virtual Curation Laboratory’s Rachael Hulvey, now an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, who also made this animation.

Animation of the Day: Thimble from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

Today’s animation is an thimble that was recovered from James Madison’s Montpelier.This object was scanned and edited by the Virtual Curation Laboratory’s Rachael Hulvey, now an alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, who also made this animation.

Animation of the Day: Iron Jaw Harp from James Madison’s Montpelier

by Bernard K. Means, Director of the Virtual Curation Laboratory

Today’s animation is an iron jaw harp that was recovered archaeologically from James Madison’s Montpelier.  This object was scanned, edited, and animated by Virginia Commonwealth University alumnus Rachael Hulvey. The jaw harp is a musical instrument played by placing the frame against one’s teeth or lips and plucking a reed, often of metal, that is missing from this conserved specimen.