Images(3)

Box

PeriodCirca 1800

Place MadeNew York, U.S.A.

MediumPine, leather, brass, iron

Dimensions5.38 × 12 × 7.25 in. (13.7 × 30.5 × 18.4 cm)

ClassificationsStorage & Display Accessories

Credit LineGift of Miss Lauretta Stillwell Miller, 1935

Object number732

DescriptionA small rectangular storage trunk of pine, covered with black leather. The trunk's shallow hinged lid includes a small ovoid brass bail carrying handle affixed to the center top. The entire trunk is covered with large brass nailheads, set along all edges and forming decorative quarter brackets at each corner, and forming an ellipse enclosing the lid handle. The also includes a 1" red leather front flap above a wrought iron lock plate, closure tab, and a small brass swing hinge keyhole plate cover. The lid opens to reveal a brightly-colored wallpaper-lined interior, in light blue and dark red stylized starburst motif pattern.
Curatorial RemarksSmall trunks and boxes such as this one were common personal storage items. The small size of Sarah Allen's little leather box indicates it was most likely used to store valuable items, such as jewelry or personal papers. The printed wallpaper lining is also quite typical of such storage containers, usually applied by the box makers themselves.NotesThis charming little storage box was owned and used by Sarah Throckmorton Allen. Born on 31 March 1790 in Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, Sarah Throckmorton married Dr. Edmund W. Allen (1788 - 1867) on 16 June 1814. The couple moved into their new home, the former tavern located at the corner of Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue in Shrewsbury. Dr. Allen and his partner, Dr. Jacob Corlies, operated their medical practice and pharmacy on the first floor, while Dr. Allen and his family occupied the rest of the house as their private residence. The Allens had eight children, five of whom lived until adulthood. The Association has a number of personal items belonging to Sarah Throckmorton Allen, including quilts and needlework items.

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