Images(6)

Knife box

Dateca. 1755-1770

OriginWales, Pontypool area

MediumJapanned tinned sheet iron ("Pontypool"), wooden carcass, brass hardware.

DimensionsOH: 16 7/8"; OW: 9 7/8"; OD: 9 3/8".

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1966-2,1

DescriptionKnife box. Rectangular shape with flat back and oval front; lid flat on top, cnated sharply at front with brass bail handle and escutcheons attached to canted face; back, sides and front of lid conform and fit flush with flat sides and oval front of box; hasp attached to oval part of lid at center engages lock plate in lower part of box; lid attaches to body along back with hinge consisting of wide uneven knuckles; lower part of box consists of flat back and sides with oval front; slight molding near base contains series of screws fastening sheet iron panels to wooden carcass; panels terminate in stamped apron forming simple guilloch pattern; box supported on four small brass ball feet which are screwed to wooden carcass. Decoration: Each box covered by dark ground, decorated with foliat and floral paintings in each panel; smaller foliate/floral displays executed in gilding within panels; panels surrounded by gilded borders interrupted by cartouches around lockplate, at corners and other areas, executed in gilding on a blue ground. Interior: Lined with red velvet which conforms to inside of lid and lower frame; frame has slanted top with areas cut out to store cutlery and flatware; hole arrangements differ between the two boxes; frame and lid edged and banded with narrow silver tape.
Label TextKnife boxes with tiered interiors slotted for flat Wares became a dining room staple in the mid-eighteenth century. Japanned sheet-iron examples are exceptionally rare. All of the painted and gilded decoration on these sumptuous examples is original.
InscribedNo
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceEx coll: Arthur J. Sussel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; sold at Parke-Bernet, New York, January 23, 1959 (lot 425) to Frank Horton of MESDA, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Boxes passed to Craig and Tarlton, INc., Raleigh, North Carolina, and from them to Stair and Company.

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