Decorated Storage or Document Box, New England Folk Art, Mid-19th Century

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Decorated Storage or Document Box, New England Folk Art, Mid-19th Century

About the Item

This handsome large document box is sponge-painted in black over red and has a spray of stenciled golden flowers along the front, with tendrils finished by hand. It is made of six pine boards with the lid attached by square iron hinges held in place by hand-forged nails. The box is joined with sunken cut finishing nails and brads. The lock is made of forged iron held in place by rectangular cut brads, and there is a swinging cover to hide the key hole (the key was lost long ago). This type of box was used to store important family and farm documents which needed to be kept under lock and key. The box was often placed in the home in full view for easy access, hence the fine decoration. The sponged-on paint in black over red gives the box an energetic drapery effect and the golden flowers with fine tendrils make it pleasing and cheerful. The lid and front have a line of hand-painted olive green banding surrounded by gold stringing to highlight the edges of the box. The back is plain red. This is an excellent example of 19th century household taste beautifully decorated by hand in exuberant style. The outside surface shows typical wear with scratches from farm or home use, while the hinges are tight, the varnish intact, and the inside is very clean. The box is an authentic, untouched piece of antique American material culture, and presents itself well. Robert James Walsh & Company, Quechee, Vermont. Please come visit my shop.

Dimensions:
Height: 12 in (30.48 cm)Width: 26 in (66.04 cm)Depth: 13.75 in (34.93 cm)
Style:
Folk Art (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Paint,Pine,Forged,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
Mid-19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1840
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Normal scratching of surface on a working document box. Structurally and visually sound and pleasing, with tight hinges and sturdy construction.
Seller Location:
Quechee, VT
Reference Number:
Seller: C-JG-17-10X-GL/L1stDibs: LU92869796751