Box

Date1810-1830

MediumWatercolor and gilt paper on paper over wood.

DimensionsOverall: OH: 6 3/4"; OW: 16 3/4"; OD: 10 3/4" (17.1 x 42.5 x 27.3cm)

Credit LineGift of Abby Aldrich Rockefelleer

Object number1931.708.1

DescriptionOctagonal wooden box covered with paper on the exterior. The interior and bottom have been painted a bright orange. The exterior side, back, and front panels have been painted with a variety of floral motifs. A landscape has been painted in a large oval on the lid. The edges of the exterior panels have been bordered with a silver metallic foil applied over a gold metallic foil. The key hole on the front center is surrounded by a small rectangle of gold foil. The lid is attached along the back edge with two copper screws and an iron alloy lock place is found in the inner lip of the front edge.
Label TextWooden boxes were once the basic unit of household storage. A fancy decorated box like this one probably was intended for a lady's gloves or other accessories. This example is covered with paper panels, their joints hidden by applied strips of gilt paper. The freehand painting of the flowers is extremely delicate and detailed. Both these and the romantic scene on the lid probably were copied from an art instruction manual.
ProvenancePurchased from Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, N.Y., for Mrs. Rockefeller's collection.