Match stick dome top jewelry chest made by inmates of Lancaster County Prison, purportedly in the1950's, for Helen, the wife of guard Harry J. Shaub (1899-1980).
Constructed of 1/4" plywood, with some solid wood & cardboard. Exterior covered with a layer of matchsticks glued on in geometrical patterns similar to marquetry. Dark brown-stained matchsticks create a diamond on the hinged lift lid and all four sides. Inside top diamond is "HELEN" with letters conforming to diamond shape.
Glued-up matchstick form a handle at lid front as well as 3/4-length drawer front below. Built out at base with matchsticks to create a skirting as well as 4 protruding feet. Interiors of both the drawer and th top compartment under lid have padded upholstery done with a yellow satin-woven fabric.
Provenance
Harry J. Shaub was a Lancaster Co. Prison Guard according to City Directories through 1950. The 1952 Directory, and henceforth, lists him as a maintenance man or mechanic (at the US Naval Base Bainbridge, Md). Thus, this chest would NOT have been made later than c. 1950, perhaps as a departing gift for Harry's wife Helen.
Repairs needed. Overall soil, especially interior upholstery; fabric torn at left front on top compartment; broken retaining ribbon; missing cover on underside of lid. Missing matchstick base and rear proper right foot.
Pair of metal cap guns (A & B) with holsters on belt (C) by Hubley Manufacturing. Identical plated metal handguns with molded brown & white plastic grips. Raised foliate decoration on barrel, 6-cylinder and cocking hammer. "MARSHAL" molded on each side under cylinder; cleaning rod has "HUBLEY" and "MADE IN USA" on opposing sides. Left side of cylinder swivels open to chamber for mounting roll of caps.
Leather holsters mounted on adjustable two-piece leather belt with stamped metal buckle at front decorated with longhorn steer, horse-and-horseshoe, six-gun and Indian chief. Series of double holes at back of belt with metal "clasp" or keeper fitted into holes at back for size adjustment. Additional part missing for this closure. Elaborate oak-and-leaf stamped decoration overall of light brown leather against a dark brown ground. Highlighted with bold palomino colored horses, one on each side of belt and each holster front. Constructed with stitching and metal fasteners having "H" on each fastener head. Holster ends fitted with looped leather thong hanging down in double strands for tying to legs.
Height excludes thong; length is the measure of fully extended belt halves.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2014-04-22
Condition Notes
Leather shows wear, especially the front belt parts and holsters are distorted, creased and abraded. Overall decoration has moderate wear. Reverse of leather has sections with strong wear that are shedding or delaminating. Guns have corrosion on and around hammers. Gun (B) has small loss of plastic at bottom corner of grip. Sizing holes in back odstretched, most grommets appear to be missing and one hole torn through to edge.
Object ID
2014.003.3a-c
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Gift of Barbara Breneman. In Memory of Robert Posey Breneman.
