Box: full view |
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Object Description
| Brief description | Inlaid box, John Nilsen, Menomonie, Dunn County, 1882. |
| Object name | Box |
| Alternate object name | Chest; Dressing case |
| Date | 1882 |
| Dimensions | 4 3/4"H x 11 1/2"L x 7 5/8"D |
| Materials and techniques | Walnut veneer and holly inlay over basswood; Interior lined with velvet paper and wallpaper; Engraved silver key fob and steel key |
| Marks | Underside signed in pencil, in elaborate script, “J Nilsen/ 1882” |
| Original location | Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin |
| Current location | Wisconsin |
| Description | Basswood box of nailed construction. The top and all four sides are covered with walnut veneer inlaid with a lighter wood (possibly holly). Inlaid motifs include, on the top, an antlered deer leaping over a log, framed by acanthus leaves and two dragon-like heads; on the front and sides, dogs and a bird surrounded by acanthus shapes. The interior is lined with velvet paper and wallpaper. The inside of the lid (which retains its original hinges) features a small mirror framed in brass. The box is accompanied by its original steel key. The shield-shaped sterling silver key fob is engraved with an eagle and the inscription “John Nelson/ Menomonie/ Wis” The obverse is engraved “Painter/ 1881” |
| History | According to the current owner, the box was purchased from an antiques dealer in Osseo, Trempealeau County. The differences in spelling of the maker’s last name—“Nilsen” on the signature; the more Americanized “Nelson” on the key fob—may suggest a transitional period for the maker between immigrant European identity (most likely Swedish or Norwegian) and American identity. |
| Owner | Private Collection |
| Rights | The artifact illustrated here is privately owned. Images of and information about the artifact are made available by the Wisconsin Historical Society for educational purposes. The images and information may be viewed, downloaded and printed by individuals for personal use, research or teaching purposes, or other "fair use" as defined by U.S. copyright law. All other uses are strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Wisconsin Historical Society. For more information, see http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/copyright.asp |
| Digital collection | Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database |
| Digital identifier | PC021 |
| Digital format | XML |
| Type | Physical object |
| Keywords | Box; Container (receptacle); Furnishings and equipment |
| Date digitized | 2009-10-26 |
| Date modified | 2010-04-29 |
Description
| Object name | Box: full view |
| Rights | The artifact illustrated here is privately owned. Images of and information about the artifact are made available by the Wisconsin Historical Society for educational purposes. The images and information may be viewed, downloaded and printed by individuals for personal use, research or teaching purposes, or other "fair use" as defined by U.S. copyright law. All other uses are strictly prohibited without prior written permission from the Wisconsin Historical Society. For more information, see http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/copyright.asp |
| Digital collection | Wisconsin Decorative Arts Database |
| Digital identifier | PC021a |
| Digital format | image/jpeg |
| Type | Physical object |
| Date digitized | 2009-10-26 |
| Date modified | 2009-10-26 |
