The O'Neills purchased most of their original Chinese style furnishings from Gump's, in San Francisco in the late '30's.When they sold Tao House in 1944, they sold many of the furnishings back to Gump's.  The pieces were then sold again, perhaps to customers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The National Park Service would like to locate and acquire any of these original pieces. If you know the whereabouts of original or similar items from the photo or the following priority list, please contact Glenn Fuller or David Blackburn at the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site.    Phone (925)943-1531  Fax (925)838-9471 or email.

Furnishings circa 1938 View high resolution image George Grau took the photograph that accompanies this page of Eugene O'Neill and his third wife, Carlotta Monterey O'Neill for Life Magazine in 1941.  This is the model being used for restoration.

Furnishing Priority List
Description from "Historic Furnishings Report" by the National Park Service's Harper's Ferry Center

1. Pair of carved Teak, two-fold screens, with porcelain inserts, Chinese, c. Late 19th Century. Seen in historic photo and referred to in Carlotta Monterey  O'Neill's diaries. Unsure of colors on the porcelain; may have been blue and white. Approximately 80" overall height.  Legs approx. 8" high.

2. Gilt metal floor lamp with glass shade, American, c. 1938. "Art Deco style". Seen in historic photo.  Approximately 68" high.

3. Carved and lacquered (?) Coromandel screen, Chinese, unknown age. Predominately blue and yellow on black background. Referred to in C.M. O'Neill's diaries. Fills a wall opening 114" wide by 69" high.

4. Travel desk on trestle, Chinese, c. 18th or 19th Century. Seen in historic photo. Referred to in C.M.O'Neill's diaries.  Lacquered (?) black finish.Approximately 54" overall height.  Desk alone is approximately 30" high and 18" deep.

Lower Priority But of Interest
5. Small "barrel shaped" wooden table, Chinese, unknown age. Possibly rosewood or teak. Seen in historic photo. Approximately 18" high.