This box was included in the March 1960 exhibit at the Detroit Institute of the Arts entitled, American Folk Arts from the Collection of Ruth and James O. Keene, wherein it was captioned “Spill box, Connecticut, ca. 1750”. Complex carving on the front of the box features a well-developed and precisely carved heart that includes beautiful rosettes and design elements that correlate to the remaining areas on the front of the box. The back board slopes upwards and terminates at the lollipop shaped handle that features another carved rosette. The sides are slightly canted rising up towards the back. The box is joined with small wrought nails. The original Sotheby’s label from the Keene sale remains in place on the inside of the box. There is an in-period repair to the back of the lollipop where a piece of fabric was stiffened and used to repair a break in the hanging hole. A rare piece in excellent surface and condition.
Provenance: Ruth and James O. Keene Collection; Sotheby’s Important Americana from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. James O. Keene, January 16, 1997. Dimensions: box width 4.5”; height 3.25”/ back 3.75”; depth 4”; full height of back 7.5”.