Tinware box

1858

Measurements

6 in x 8 7/8 in x 5 3/4 in

Materials

Japanned or painted tinned sheet iron

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.1532

Inscription

“D. Corbit / 1858” is scratched into the top, “D. Corbit” into the sides and back, and “D C W” into the front. The lock is stamped “PATENT" and "VR" with a crown.

Condition Notes

Sections of the paint have powdered and delaminated in addition to small areas of wear and abrasion

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner, half-sister of Daniel Wheeler Corbit, the original owner of the box.

Comments

Daniel Wheeler Corbit made sure others knew this was his box by scratching his name and the date 1858 when he was 15 years old.  Unfortunately, neither he nor anyone recorded what was kept in the box.  A lock, but no key, remains attached.  The box itself is made of sheet iron coated in tin to prevent rust.  The paint, a dark, nearly black color, was called japanning, evoking lacquered wares.  Yellow striping enlivens it.

Bibliography

Zimmerman, A Storied Past, 225-226.