Box
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Abigail Ball
(Anglo-American, 1682 - 1760)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1700-1710
MediumOak, beech, pine, iron
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 9 x 23 3/4 x 19in. (22.9 x 60.3 x 48.3cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Walkley Holmes, Dorothy Walkley Faul, and Janet Walkley Cares
Object number1972.13.0
DescriptionRectangular box with a front carved with tulips and the initials "AB" 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 the front to back on the underside of each side of the top. The top overhangs the front and sides of the box. The front is carved with a pattern of flat, raised branches, leaves and tulips on a textured, recessed background within a rectangular border. At the lower center of the box are the incised initials "AB". Each front corner of the box has a vertical line of small gouges, or chip carving. The sides and back of the box are plain. The bottom overhangs the front and sides of the box slightly, and has has a canted, or slanted, top edge. The box has an overall red wash.
Condition: The edges of the top are well worn, especially at the front. The front edge of the bottom of the box is worn. The top is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is in the Hadley style. The carving consists of flat tulips, leaves and vines outlined with incised lines on a recessed, textured background. The initials are formed from incised lines, and are separated by a recessed, vertical area outlined in chip carving.
Construction. The top is constructed of a single pine 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 is constructed of a single beech board. The back and each side of the box is constructed of a single 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.
NotesObject 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. (Hunt 6/2/2006)Condition: The edges of the top are well worn, especially at the front. The front edge of the bottom of the box is worn. The top is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is in the Hadley style. The carving consists of flat tulips, leaves and vines outlined with incised lines on a recessed, textured background. The initials are formed from incised lines, and are separated by a recessed, vertical area outlined in chip carving.
Construction. The top is constructed of a single pine 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 is constructed of a single beech board. The back and each side of the box is constructed of a single 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.
Status
On view
