Roughly fashioned polychromed softwood miniature trinket box of rectangular form. Domed lid hollowed out underneath and ends fitted with conforming caps. Wire hinges and wire loop at front with missing tin hasp. Corresponding wire loop for hasp on box front. Box sides constructed of rabbet joints secured by two wood pegs at front and two at back. Beveled bottom board attached with two pegs and extends beyond box sides. Top and four sides each have a floral motif of dark green, cream, ochre and red all on a tan ground. Glossy varnish overall except for bottom and interior. Indecipherable initials painted on bottom.
Probably Lancaster County
Provenance
Purchased by donor at Lancaster County sale. At least four other examples known. See example in collection #1973.003.2
Possible maker is Peter Brubacher (1816-1898), shoemaker and woodworker in Clay Township.
Trinket box of softwood constuction covered by German newsprint outside and a coarse blue-green paper inside. Glued over the newsprint are strips of straw of various tones arranged in geometrical designs on domed lid and sides in a technique very similar to marquetry. Newsprint visible on underside as well as where straw pieces are missing. Lid has hinge of coarse linen under laminate. Bent wire hook on lid fits into wire loop on box front.
Provenance
Collected by donor in Lancaster Co. According authority Clarke Hess, these boxes are plentiful, but not usually with newspaper lining. Clarke owns two of these boxes, both with Lancaster German language newsprint, and believes these boxes were made 1820-1840 in PA.
John Tannehill, expert in iron, reports someone told him these boxes were made in prisons.
Shield-shaped matchsafe of 1/8" thick softwood back and a half cup shaped holder for matches attached to bottom with nails. Holder's exterior is coated with remains of black abrasive used for striking matches. Back board is printed with decorative borders and advertising text in black ink: "Compliments of/ Philip Schum, Son & Co.,/ 150 S. Water St., Lancaster./ Well-known Manufacturers of/ Genuine Coverlets,/ Counterpanes, Blankets,/ Carpets, Stocking Yarn, etc." Along left side of back is "Lancaster Dyeing/ Establishment" and along right side is "Dealers in all kinds/ of COAL." Maker's name printed along bottom: "(S)tanford & Gage(?) (I)thaca, N.Y." Hanging hole at top. No finish on wood.
Provenance
Philip Schum (1814-1880) coverlets date from c. 1856-1880. He expanded to additional merchandise over the years. His family continued the business after his 1880 death.
Shield-shaped match safe of 1/8" thick softwood back printed with advertising and a 2" tall round wooden cup glued to lower front for holding matches. Holder's exterior is coated with remains of black abrasive used for striking matches. Back board is printed with line borders and advertising text in black ink: "PLAIN HATS FOR PLAIN TRADE A SPECIALTY/ COMPLIMENTS OF/ BRANDT & CO.,/ HATTERS,/ LANCASTER, PA./ W. WINGERT, Manager." At bottom is the maker/s name: "Novelty Sign Works Ithaca, N.Y. " Small hanging hole at top of back board.
Provenance
Provenance unknown. Item purchased at an auction. The 1886 Directory has a business listing as well as an ad on page 48 3/4. The manager is listed as I. Newton Wingert, boarding at the home of Andrew Wingert (50 S. Duke). The 1890 Directory lists not business and Newton Wingert is listed as the manger at Boas' hat store at 144 N. Quenn.
Yellow earthenware lobe-paneled spittoon decorated with streaked and spattered dark brown manganese under a clear lead glaze. Oval drain hole on side. Underside has impressed maker's name in block letters: "Eagle/ Porcelain Works / Lancaster City, PA / Henry Gast, S.Q. St. "
