Spruce gum box in book form
Case carved of solid softwood, with separately made top and bottom covers. The bottom insert is stationary, as it does not include a recessed finger pull. The raised carving includes profiles of a presumed husband and wife, as well as floral motifs, decorative bands on the spine and a false clasp with double heart-motif false clasp Inscriptions read "Duty first and Pleasure afterwards" on one side, and "Tow [two] things to forget. A good deed done to another or a bad one done to myself" on the other. Details of both kinds of carving were picked out in red, green and black paint. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Lynn Heckman
Artwork Details
- Title: Spruce gum box in book form
- Date: between 1850 and 1920
- Geography: United States
- Dimensions: 1 box : carved and painted wood ; Height: 4 3/4 × 2 3/4 in. (12 × 7 × 4 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Lynn and Bruce Heckman
- Object Number: N7433.3 .S67 1850a
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