Place Made

Date Made

1790-1830

Medium

pine

Dimensions

DIA 4 3/4; HOA 2 3/4

Accession Number

747.12

Description

DESCRIPTION: Small oval box: Lidded, lead nailed and wooden pegged at top and bottom.

FORM: Round and oval boxes held foodstuffs and other family necessities; these wooden boxes served almost every household need. They came in round and oval shapes and varied in size from large to very small (pill box size). The largest boxes most likely held cheese, butter or herbs. The medium-size boxes probably held sugar, corn, rye, buckwheat and oats. The smaller boxes usually held spices or pills.

These boxes were often made by the local carpenter. They were either staved (like a barrel) or had beveled laps that were nailed together.