Images(3)

Document Box

Date1765-1800

OriginEngland

MediumDeal, leather, iron, paper, and fabric

DimensionsOH: 5 3/4"; OW: 15 1/4"; OD: 8".

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-2

DescriptionBox. Rectangular box with flat base; straight sides; hinged, domed lid with wrought iron catch and box lock at front; wrought iron bail handle fastened to center of top; exterior surface of top and front covered all over with reddish brown leather, hand tooled in gold all over pattern of geometric designs with fret border; sides decorated with tooled criss-cross pattern; interior covered with book pages that are stenciled with a vine and leaf design; pages headed with "Letters To and From Dr. Swift" with dates of correspondence inluding 1711 and 1726; remant of textile strap nailed inside proper right end to lid and case.
Label TextWithout the labels of makers, leather covered document boxes can be difficult to date. The un-cut book pages that line the interior appear to be from the WORKS OF JONATHAN SWIFT, which dates no earlier than 1765 when those 13 volumes were first published. Other related boxes made for the American market include "Stamp Act Repd/ March 18 1766" on the lid, indicating they too postdate that repeal.
Markings"1646" stamped into one side of exterior (date not period).