Decorated Box

Date1885-1895

Artist/Maker Samuel L. Plank (1821-1900)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Mifflin County

MediumPainted eastern white pine and tulip poplar, brass and iron

DimensionsOH: 15 3/4"; OW: 12 1/2"; OD: 7" OH: 40.0 cm.; OW: 31.7 cm.; OD: 17.7 cm.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961.708.1

DescriptionSpice box, carved scroll crest with hole for hanging on wall. Front sloping door lifts up on hinges, and below it are two drawers with buggy snaps for pulls. Box painted except for back and sides, a beige color with dark blue trim, the beige center section has lines of faded red and green lines for border. On the scroll back are green leaves decoration. On hinged top is bird and flower design -- birds are like goldfinch with blue flowers behind their heads, red rose-like flower in center and red flower on either side with green leaves. Same design repeated above drawers. Drawers darker brown background, pull in center of white petalled flower, and green leaves on vines. On either side is a red bird with blue wings against bunch of pansies of yellow and blue with green leaves.
Label TextSamuel Plank, a farmer and teacher in central Pennsylvania's Kishacoquillas Valley, made decorated kitchen storage boxes such as this example for each of his eleven children. He also gave similar boxes to friends and sold some for $1.25 each.
InscribedPenciled inscription on back "Mattie A. Hostetler"