Painted wood hat box

Date1820-1840

MediumTulip wood, oak, and paint

DimensionsOH: 11 1/4"; OW: 17 7/8"; OD: 15 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1973.708.7

DescriptionOval red painted hat box with black decoration. Lid is decorated with a single, centrally placed weeping willow painted in free flowing but unsteady brushstrokes in black on a red background. The rest o the top is decorated with small black dots randomly placed, filling the space available. The sides of the box are crisscrossed with black lines; the diamond shapes created by the intersecting lines each have a black dot within. The sides of the top are stippled with black dots. The sides of the body and lid are lap jointed, cut nails are used throughout; the lid of the box shows hand-plane marks.

Woods: tulip wood (bottom and top), and split oak sides.
InscribedPencil inscription inside lid "Sally/....(Sally?)..../... (initial) S"