Valuables box

1805-1815

Maker

William M.S. Doyle (1769-1828)

Measurements

5-1/8 in x 10 in x 5-1/2 in

Materials

Mahogany, maple (burled veneer), rosewood (cross-banding and escutcheon), unidentified exotic hardwood (feet and skirt), light- and dark-wood stringing, églomisé (inside panel), paper

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1959.3776

Inscription

“DOYLE” in is written in ink below the silhouette.

Condition Notes

The box lid has warped slightly.  The exterior finish was lightly cleaned in 2022.

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

This little box, by an unknown maker, is made entirely of mahogany covered with expensive and colorful veneers.  The legs and skirt are made of a rare and exotic hardwood.  Inside, a partitioned tray lifts out to expose open storage. The underside of the lid holds a framed sheet of glass with gold foil leafage (églomisé) against a bright red painted background, all executed on the reverse side of the glass.  An oval window in the center frames a paper silhouette signed “DOYLE.”  William M.S. Doyle (1769-1828) of Boston, Massachusetts, began work as a silhouettist and miniaturist in 1803 and continued until his death (see Carrie Rebora Barratt and Lori Zabar, American Portrait Miniatures in The Metropolitan Museum of Art [2010], p. 72).  The name of the sitter, who may also have been the original owner, is not known.