Box
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1680-1710
MediumOak, pine, iron
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (hieght x width x depth): 7 3/8 x 24 9/16 x 15 15/16in. (18.7 x 62.4 x 40.5cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Allerton C. Hickmott
DescriptionRectangular oak and pine box with a front carved in the style of the Moore shop tradition, 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, 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. There is a keyhole at the top center. 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 bottom overhangs the sides of the box slightly, and has ovolo molding at the front and sides.
Condition: A pair of struts is added to the interior bottom of the top. The bottom board has split. The box is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is divided into four equal sections with three vertical incised lines. Each side of the symmetrical design emerges from a central leafy stem that is divided by the center incised lines. A series of opposing gouges along this line create a vertical line of small diamonds on the lower half of the leafy stem. The keyhole is off center, to the immediate right of this line.
Construction. The pine top is constructed of a single board; the cleats are nailed to the underside of the top. Two additional structs are screwed into the underside of the lid (later addition). 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 edges of the box. The top interior right corner of the back of the box has a squared notch cut into the wood. The pine bottom of the box is constructed of a single board (now split in two) that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides, and back of the box. An iron locking mechanism is located behind the keyhole on the front of the box. This joins to an iron plate and loop at the top front edge of the top.
Condition: A pair of struts is added to the interior bottom of the top. The bottom board has split. The box is refinished.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The carved decoration on the front of the box is divided into four equal sections with three vertical incised lines. Each side of the symmetrical design emerges from a central leafy stem that is divided by the center incised lines. A series of opposing gouges along this line create a vertical line of small diamonds on the lower half of the leafy stem. The keyhole is off center, to the immediate right of this line.
Construction. The pine top is constructed of a single board; the cleats are nailed to the underside of the top. Two additional structs are screwed into the underside of the lid (later addition). 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 edges of the box. The top interior right corner of the back of the box has a squared notch cut into the wood. The pine bottom of the box is constructed of a single board (now split in two) that is nailed to the underside of the front, sides, and back of the box. An iron locking mechanism is located behind the keyhole on the front of the box. This joins to an iron plate and loop at the top front edge of the top.
Object number1960.13.2
NotesHistorical 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.On View
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