Painted table box in the form of a book, native American motif
This box was made in the form of a rounded-spine book, using whitewood and iron fasteners. It is fully painted in dark green with red, yellow, white and gold motifs. The front cover is hinged to the box. The top of the box has a painted gold border with plant-like flourishes, framing a central design of two leafy sprays emanating below a poised native American man holding a bow and arrow. The spine of the book box is painted in red and gold to suggest five panels. The edges are marbled with the likely use of the same-colored paints, although the surface degradation makes this difficult to confirm. On the interior, both endbands received a chevron pattern painted in alternating red and white. Two cleats were screwed against the inside surface of the lid, to prevent it from warping. The box's interior is left unpainted, while the upper edge and inside of the lid are painted green. Originally, the bottom panel was secured with wrought nails. In addition, two added wood screws can be seen where the worn, floral wallpaper was lost.-- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Marijn Manuels
Artwork Details
- Title: Painted table box in the form of a book, native American motif
- Date: between 1800 and 1899
- Geography: United States
- Dimensions: 1 box : polychrome wood, metal, wallpaper ; Height: 12 5/8 × 11 in. (32 × 28 × 10 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Lynn and Bruce Heckman
- Object Number: N7433.3 .P35 1800
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Samuel Putnam Avery Sr.
1874–80
Samuel Putnam Avery Sr.
1871–82
between 1860 and 1869
between 1800 and 1899
between 1815 and 1825
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