Box

Date1680-1720

MediumPine, black and red paint, iron hardware

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 9 x 25 13/16 x 18 1/8in. (22.9 x 65.6 x 46cm)

ClassificationsFurniture

Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour

Object number1945.1.1078

DescriptionPainted, rectangular, pine box with a molded and painted front in the seventeenth century style. The top has ovolo, or thumbnail, molding on the front and sides; a cleat, or strip of wood, extends from front to back on the underside of each side of the top. The top overhangs the front and sides of the box. The front of the box has two evenly spaced, horizontal rows of incised molding, each consisting of an opposing pair of ovolo molding. The sides and back of the box are plain. The bottom overhangs and front and sides of the box slightly, and has an ovolo molded edge. The box is painted brown or black overall, with multiple rows of red painted undulating lines on the front and sides.

Condition: The box has been coated with varnish. The top has possibly been repainted.

Design and Construction Details: The top is constructed of a single board; the cleats are nailed to the underside of the top. The top is joined to the box with a pair of iron cotter-pin hinges at the back edge. The front, back, and sides of the box are each constructed of a pine oak board. The sides of the box fit into rabbets on each end of the front and back boards of the box; the sides are nailed in place through the front and back corners of the box. The bottom of the box is constructed of a single pine board that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides, and back of the box.

NotesBible Boxes: This box is of a size and shape referred to by antique collectors as a "bible box". Bible boxes were believed to hold a family's large bible. It is now known that these boxes, designed to sit on a table or chest, would have held any number of small articles belonging to the woman of the house.

Status

Not on view