Lot 318

A Prisoner Made Figured Maple and Marquetry Inlaid Box with Turtles and Frogs, 19th Century

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,800

Estimate$1,200 – $1,800

Status

Closed

A Prisoner Made Figured Maple and Marquetry Inlaid Box with Turtles and Frogs, 19th Century

Jackson, Michigan, Circa 1870

paper label on interior of lid reads This box was made by a prisoner in Jackson and was presented to W.H. Smith by John Evrett in 1870.
opening to a blue painted interior featuring polychrome painted turtles, each mounted on wire to allow movement of head, feet and tails.
Height 5 x width 13 x depth 9 1/4 inches.

The marquetry work made by inmates at Jackson State Prison (1838-1934) near present-day Jackson, Michigan is well known. This is the first box we have encountered featuring a folky interior such as this. The 1870 Federal Census lists John Everett, aged 31, living in Jackson, as an "keeper at State Prison." The same census lists three William H. Smith's in living in Jackson.

The frogs represent the prisoner, while the swimming turtles represent the rest of the world.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Ben Fisher

Managing Director, Furniture and Decorative Arts

[email protected]312.447.3270

Mr. Fisher rejoined the firm in 2019 after working as a specialist in the American Furniture and Folk Art department at Sotheby’s New York. His areas of expertise include 18th, 19th, and 20th century American, Continental, and English furniture, decorative and folk art. Before coming to Hindman in 2013, Mr. Fisher worked in European Furniture and Decorative Arts in Philadelphia. He began his career working for a prints dealer focusing on works from the 16th through the 20th centuries.

Leah Vogelpohl

AVP, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk, and Decorative Arts

[email protected]513.666.4960

Ms. Vogelpohl joined the firm in 2013 as a cataloger in the American and European Furniture and Decorative Arts department. She became a department specialist in 2017, focusing on American decorative arts and silver. She received a BA from the College of Charleston and an MLITT in Art History from the University of Glasgow.

The Donald F. Moylan, M.D. Collection of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts, Part I

A Prisoner Made Figured Maple and Marquetry Inlaid Box with Turtles and Frogs, 19th Century

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