Images(8)

Embroidered Box

Date1720-1730

OriginEngland

MediumSilk embroidery threads on a linen ground, silk fabric, wool batting, walnut veneer, steel, brass

DimensionsOW: 9 1/2"; OL: 11 5/8"; OD: 3 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1959-25

DescriptionThis is a rectangular toilet box banded with walnut veneer. The hinged lid is worked in Irish stitch with colored silks of blue, green, coral, tan, and ivory. Three sides are worked in queen stitch with a design of angular flower forms. Each needlework panel is edged with a woven silk tape that measures 1/4" in width. With the tape, the panel on the lid measures 9" in width by 7" in height, while each side panel measures 2" in height. The box is lined with paper and salmon-pink silk; the interior walls are padded with a wool batting and quilted. The escutcheon (no key) has the initials "M C" punched into it and measures 2 1/2" in length. The escutcheon and lock are made of steel and the hinges are made of brass.

Stitches: Irish, queen
Label TextDecorative boxes, like this one, are often called dressing or toilet boxes because they were used on dressing tables where they held small, valuable objects such as jewels, letters, and other trinkets. This box was most likely produced by a young woman, who would have created the needlework components, in partnership with a professional tradesperson(s), who would have provided the wooden and metal parts.
MarkingsInitials "MC" punched into escutcheon plate.
ProvenanceThe box is reputed to have come from the Foulke family of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors supposedly came to America with William Penn in 1682. There are two families with the named Foulke who could have owned this piece. The first family came to America with Thomas Foulke (d. 1714) and his wife, Mary Richardson (d. 1718) in 1677. Thomas was a Quaker and one of nine commissioners sent to America by the proprietors of West Jersey. William Penn was a joint trustee of one of the companies who purchased land from the proprietors. Thomas and his wife were originally from Derbyshire, England and settled in Chesterfield in Burlington County, West Jersey. The second family came to America with Edward Foulke (1651-1741) and his wife, Eleanor (1651-1733) in 1698. Edward and his wife were originally from Wales and settled in Gwynedd in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.