Box
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1720-1740
MediumTulip poplar, iron, black and red paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 8 3/8 x 26 15/16 x 15 1/8in. (21.3 x 68.4 x 38.4cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of George Dudley Seymour
Object number1945.1.1080
DescriptionRectangular, tulip poplar, painted box, in the William and Mary, or early baroque, style. The top has ovolo, or thumbnail, molding on the front and sides; a cleat, or strip of wood, extends from the front to back on the underside of each side of the top. The top overhangs the front, sides and back of the box. A strip of molding (later addition) circles the lower front and sides of the box. There is a keyhole at the top center front of the box. A pair of iron cotter-pin hinges joins the top to the back of the box.
Painted Decoration. The front of the box is painted with a meandering, leafy vine inside a rectangular border of red paint and black painted dots. Three pairs of red hearts are located above and below the meandering vine. The corners of the rectangle are rounded off. The remainder of the box has a dark paint or wash.
Condition: The molding at the bottom front and sides of the box is a later addition. Repairs have been made to the bottom of the box, at the back left corner, and to the top, at the front center edge. The paint is faded.
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 each side of the box are constructed of a single board. The isdes of the box fit into a rabbet on each end of the front and back boards that form the box; the sides are nailed in place through the front and back edges of the box. The bottom is constructed of a single board that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides and back of the box. The molding (later addition) is glued to the lower front and sides of the box. An iron locking mechanism is located behind the keyhole on the front; this is nailed to the interior front 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.Painted Decoration. The front of the box is painted with a meandering, leafy vine inside a rectangular border of red paint and black painted dots. Three pairs of red hearts are located above and below the meandering vine. The corners of the rectangle are rounded off. The remainder of the box has a dark paint or wash.
Condition: The molding at the bottom front and sides of the box is a later addition. Repairs have been made to the bottom of the box, at the back left corner, and to the top, at the front center edge. The paint is faded.
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 each side of the box are constructed of a single board. The isdes of the box fit into a rabbet on each end of the front and back boards that form the box; the sides are nailed in place through the front and back edges of the box. The bottom is constructed of a single board that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides and back of the box. The molding (later addition) is glued to the lower front and sides of the box. An iron locking mechanism is located behind the keyhole on the front; this is nailed to the interior front of the box.
Status
Not on view
