BAND BOX, DECORATION

Date1780-1820

Retailed by Pennypacker Auction Center

Attributed to Barb Family

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Shenandoah County (probably)

MediumPitch pine (sides of box and lid), basswood or linden (bottom)

DimensionsOH: 7"; OW: 16 7/8": OD: 11 1/4" OH: 17.8 cm; OW: 42.9 cm; OD: 28.6cm

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1973.708.2

DescriptionAppearance: Red oval box painted with large black and white flowers on trees.
Construction: Sides of lid and box are wrapped around box top and bottom and stapled; nailed to edges of top and bottom.
Label TextMany 18th century boxes of this type found in Pennsylvania German regions, were actually made in Bavaria and housed treasured trinkets immigrants brought with them. This example is one of the few made in Virginia and differs from the so-called "spahn schacteln" or "chip boxes" in that it is more simply decorated and is without inscription.

A group of related boxes with similar flowers and edge decoration and Shenandoah County histories may have been made or decorated by a member of the Barb family of Shenandoah County, Virginia. A similar example is inscribed in ink under the lid "Jacob Barb This 24th day of August in the year 1830/ --The 24th day of August in the year 1832/ Jacob Barb 1811." A Jacob Barb was born August 21, 1811 in Shenandoah County, Virginia, the son of Jacob Barb (1779-1854) and Margaret Coffelt (born about 1780).
ProvenanceFormerly owned by Walter Himmelreich, Ronks, PA; Herbert Schiffer, Chester, PA.