Portrait of young gentleman. Fairly faded out. Water marks/stains, one around right eye of man (viewer's left) in decorative bronze-colored frame with glass narrow gold-colored braid around edge. All with a red velvet rectangle. On the red velvet lining of the lid/cover: "Addis (?) s Lancaster Gallery/ NE Corner of Centre Square & N. Queen St." Black container has decorative motifs on front and back.
Encased ambrotype, circa 1865, of Rosine Etta (Hubley) Herr (1850-1889). Seated in plaid dress by a column, in a composition case with gold trim and lined with red velvet.
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.
Letter box with slant front, hinged-lid, and multi-compartment interior. Exterior is done in silver, ebony, ivory, and mahogany inlay in a cube and flower design. Interior is wood with circular inlay design with ivory, silver, jade, and red material. Key included.
Brought from Siam in the 1860s by Admiral William Reynolds, brother of General John Fulton Reynolds.
Cane, black wood body with brass headcap. Engraved on end, "A Normal Tribute / D. M. Sensenig / Aug. 30, 1877" Wooden cane or walking stick with carving and metal adornment, smooth dark finish, tapers from .875 inches to .5 inches at bottom tip. Top 2 inches metal button top sloping in the encircle the .75 inch diameter cane. Intricate flourishes around base of button and between 4 petals pointing up from the base. 1.5 inch tip banded in white metal; .125 inches of metal tip shows.
