Box
Original OwnerOriginally owned by the
Goodwin family
(American)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1680-1710
MediumOak, pine, iron
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 8 7/16 x 28 3/16 x 16 1/2in. (21.4 x 71.6 x 41.9cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1985.82.0
DescriptionRectangular, oak box with a front carved in the style of the Moore shop tradition, in the seventeenth century style. The top (replaced) 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. The front is carved with a symmetrical pattern of flowers and leaves on a textured, recessed background within a rectangular border. The front edges of the box have a vertical band of small gouges, or chip carving. The sides and back of the box are plain. The pine bottom overhangs the sides of the box slightly, and has ovolo molding at the front and sides. The top is joined to the box with a pair of iron cotter-pin hinges at the back edge.
Condition: The top and cleats are replaced. A rectangular notch at the interior upper right corner of the back of the box has been repaired. Each exterior upper back corners of the box is repaired; below each of these repairs are smaller repairs to the back corners of the box. The right front corner bottom of the box is repaired. The box is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is divided into four squal sections with three vertical incised lines. Each side of the symmetrical design emerges from a leafy stem in the center front of the box that is divided by the middle incised line. A series of opposing gouges along this line create a vertical line of small diamonds on the lower half of the leafy stem.
Construction. The pine top is constructed of a single board; the cleats are nailed to the underside of the top (top and cleats are replaced).
The top is joined to the box with a pair of cotter-pin hinges at the back edge. Each oak side of the box is constructed of a single 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 top interior right corner of the back of the box has a squared notch cut into the wood (now filled in with a small wooden block). The pine bottom of the box is constructed of a single board that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides, and back of the box.
NotesSubject Note: Bible 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.Condition: The top and cleats are replaced. A rectangular notch at the interior upper right corner of the back of the box has been repaired. Each exterior upper back corners of the box is repaired; below each of these repairs are smaller repairs to the back corners of the box. The right front corner bottom of the box is repaired. The box is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is divided into four squal sections with three vertical incised lines. Each side of the symmetrical design emerges from a leafy stem in the center front of the box that is divided by the middle incised line. A series of opposing gouges along this line create a vertical line of small diamonds on the lower half of the leafy stem.
Construction. The pine top is constructed of a single board; the cleats are nailed to the underside of the top (top and cleats are replaced).
The top is joined to the box with a pair of cotter-pin hinges at the back edge. Each oak side of the box is constructed of a single 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 top interior right corner of the back of the box has a squared notch cut into the wood (now filled in with a small wooden block). The pine bottom of the box is constructed of a single board that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides, and back of the box.
Status
Not on view
