jewelry box
Date: circa 1900
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0032
Classification: Jewelry Box
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
9.8 × 27.9 × 20.6 cm (3 7/8 × 11 × 8 1/8 in.)
Description:
Wood jewelry box, plain design with no ornamentation.
Top of lid has a metal plaque in the center, no inscription (1 1/8" x 2 7/8").
All four edges of the top are beveled. The beveled top attaches to four straight pieces that form the lid of the box.
The sides of the base are made of four straight pieces of wood. Wood inserts line the sides of the base and extend slightly above the sides to bevel inward to fit snuggly with the lid.
The top and base are attached with a metal hinge across the back and a metal semi-circle inside the box (proper left) that prevents the top from extending more than 90˚.
Inside the base, the bottom is lined with white plastic. There is also a loose thin wood piece (approximately 8" x 5 1/2") that lays on the plastic - purpose unknown.
The exterior bottom of the box is lined with green felt.
Top of lid has a metal plaque in the center, no inscription (1 1/8" x 2 7/8").
All four edges of the top are beveled. The beveled top attaches to four straight pieces that form the lid of the box.
The sides of the base are made of four straight pieces of wood. Wood inserts line the sides of the base and extend slightly above the sides to bevel inward to fit snuggly with the lid.
The top and base are attached with a metal hinge across the back and a metal semi-circle inside the box (proper left) that prevents the top from extending more than 90˚.
Inside the base, the bottom is lined with white plastic. There is also a loose thin wood piece (approximately 8" x 5 1/2") that lays on the plastic - purpose unknown.
The exterior bottom of the box is lined with green felt.
In Collection(s)
Signedunsigned
FunctionA receptacle for jewelry or other valuable items associated with jewelry.
Curatorial RemarksJewelry box was made in Mexico and may be make of Teak wood.
ProvenanceOriginal owner of the jewelry box was Marion Dyer Harris (1908-2003).
Harris gave the jewelry box to her daughter, Ann Marion Harris Berthold (19-).
Berthold gave the jewelry box to her granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Berthold White (1992-) in 2004.
The following is a transcript of a letter accompanying the jewelry box when Berthold gave it to White, the current owner. (see images of the letter and a photograph of Marion Dyer Harris and husband Arch Thomas Harris).
Dec. 2004
Dear Jennifer,
This box belonged to Gee-Mama who was your great grand mother. It was made in Mexico. Since your Dad was her very favorite grandchild, I know she would be pleased for you to have it since you are his daughter. Maybe someday you can give it to your daughter or granddaughter if you can imagine such a thing!
I have been keeping an old journal in this box that was written by your great, great, great Aunt May who started writing in it on January 1, 1890 & wrote in it for 3 years. She was not much older than you when she started. She lived on a farm in Minnesota with her brothers & sisters & I’m sure she did not think that her life was very exciting, but it is very interesting to us to read it today.
So I am sending you a journal & I hope that you will write in it every day or so and that you will save it so that your descendants will know what it was like growing up on a farm in Missouri in 2005.
If you like the book and want to know what happens next to those children let me know and I will send you the next book which is called “The Reptile Room.”
Merry Christmas & Love,
Grandmama
Harris gave the jewelry box to her daughter, Ann Marion Harris Berthold (19-).
Berthold gave the jewelry box to her granddaughter, Jennifer Ann Berthold White (1992-) in 2004.
The following is a transcript of a letter accompanying the jewelry box when Berthold gave it to White, the current owner. (see images of the letter and a photograph of Marion Dyer Harris and husband Arch Thomas Harris).
Dec. 2004
Dear Jennifer,
This box belonged to Gee-Mama who was your great grand mother. It was made in Mexico. Since your Dad was her very favorite grandchild, I know she would be pleased for you to have it since you are his daughter. Maybe someday you can give it to your daughter or granddaughter if you can imagine such a thing!
I have been keeping an old journal in this box that was written by your great, great, great Aunt May who started writing in it on January 1, 1890 & wrote in it for 3 years. She was not much older than you when she started. She lived on a farm in Minnesota with her brothers & sisters & I’m sure she did not think that her life was very exciting, but it is very interesting to us to read it today.
So I am sending you a journal & I hope that you will write in it every day or so and that you will save it so that your descendants will know what it was like growing up on a farm in Missouri in 2005.
If you like the book and want to know what happens next to those children let me know and I will send you the next book which is called “The Reptile Room.”
Merry Christmas & Love,
Grandmama
Published ReferencesLink to Marion Dyer Harris Obituary:
https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/name/marion-harris-obituary?pid=964136
Link to Berthold/Harris Genealogy:
http://www.bertholdharris.org/?fbclid=IwAR3uuZZR1hZmwHyV1BjcEsAlVxiHriDS7rjjHbYPLw4XHqaQ_jEEmmZmgIw