Paint-decorated Dome-top Box

Description:

Paint-decorated Dome-top Box, attributed to the "Compasswork Decorator" of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1800-40, the rectangular dovetail-constructed pine and poplar box with sheet iron and wire hinges and punch-decorated sheet iron hasp, the top and sides ornamented with compass-incised, red and white hand-painted flower blossoms and foliage, on a blue ground, ht. 9, wd. 13 1/4, dp. 9 1/2 in.

Provenance: Collection of Ruth and James O. Keene, the interior of the box lid bearing their "K" inventory number (K 532); Walters-Benisek, purchased in 1996.

Literature: The box is illustrated in the exhibition catalog American Folk Arts from the Collection of James and Ruth O. Keene, The Detroit Institute of Arts, March 1-26, 1960, No. 15, p. 24; and a similar example is illustrated in The Pennsylvania German Collection, by Beatrice B. Garvan, Philadelphia Museum of Art, p. 15.

Note: Similar works by this maker can be found in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware.
Estimate $8,000-12,000

Minor shrinkage cracks on lid, minor paint losses on edges, no evidence of repaint, lower portion of hasp is not original.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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