Lady's toilet box

Dateca. 1840

Artist/Maker Daniel Evans Jr.

OriginAmerica, Maine, Augusta (probably)

Mediumwatercolor and ink paintings on paper over wood box

DimensionsOL: 15 1/2"; OW: 11 1/2"; OD 5 1/2" (39,3 cm x 29,2 cm x 13,9 cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1959.708.6

DescriptionThe box is a simple, open, four-sided construction of thin wood, the sides being butt-joined with nails. The raw wood was first covered with a thin white rag paper; one piece for the inside of the bottom, and one piece wrapped around each side panel, which covers the inside, upper rim, and outside. To each of the four outside panels is mounted another heavier rag paper with the watercolor and ink designs. The lower unpainted edge of the decorated panels is folded under to form a one inch overlap on the bottom of the box.

The designs are executed in blue, green, red and black watercolor with presumably an iron gall ink drawing. The front panel differs from the others. It is divided into three window-like divisions, each bordered by a pattern of inked lines and colored bands. The central division contains a green dove carrying an olive branch. YOUNG LADY'S TOILET BOX is printed within the scalloped oval which encloses the calligraphic dove. The right and left windows contain miniature watercolor paintings depicting the grounds and buildings of an estate, which, according to the label on the bottom of the box, belonged to "Mr. Winslow of the Mansion House". The other three sides of the box contain more elaborate views of the estate on a larger scale. The paintings have all been heavily varnished with a natural resin.
Label TextLandscapes were not confined to wood, canvas, and paper supports intended to be framed and affixed or hung on a wall, as evidenced by this box painted about 1840. The box is inscribed "Young Lady's Toilet Box" and was painted by Daniel Evans, Jr. A paper label pasted to the bottom of the box explains that Evans painted the piece "for Mr. Winslow of the Mansion House which is on the cover." Unfortunately, the cover is missing. Two other boxes signed by Evans form part of a group of six related boxes all executed in the vicinity of Augusta, Maine. Evans appeared in the federal censuses of 1820 and 1830 as a resident of Hallowell, Maine, a town near Augusta; by 1840 he is no longer listed. He may have been an art instructor at one of the private academies in Hallowell or a self-taught amateur, but nothing conclusive has been found.
MarkingsInscribed on paper label pasted to bottom of box, in longhand script "Made and painted for Mr./ Winslow of the Mansion/ House which is on the cover/ By Danl. Evans,Jr." Inscribed on the front, center of panel: "YOUNG LADY'S/ TOILET BOX"