A MUSEUM QUALITY PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN PAINT DECORATED “MINIATURE” FLAT TOP BLANKET BOX IN THE MOST INCREDIBLE PAINTED FOLK ART DECORATION. HAND PAINTED DECORATION ON THE FRONT, SIDES AND THE TOP, A VERY FINE FLORAL DESIGN WITH ASTERS, POMEGRANATES AND VINES ALL IN REDS, ORANGES, BLUES AND  GREEN. ALL OF THIS ON THE ORIGINAL GREEN BACKGROUND ON TOP OF THE ORIGINAL PALE BLUE BASE COAT.

THIS BOX IS IN NATIVE PINE, WHITEWOOD POPLAR AND CEDAR, IT DATES TO THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE 19TH CENTURY AND IS PAINT DATED ON THE BACK IN WONDERFUL EARLY CALLIGRAPHY, “1817” IN THE SAME RED PAINT USED THROUGHOUT THE BOX. PENNSYLVANIA, PROBABLY LANCASTER COUNTY, PA

THE ORIGINAL TOP STILL HAS ITS ATTACHED TOP MOLDINGS WITH GREAT RED/ORANGE AND BLACK STRIPED PAINT DECORATION. THE BOTTOM BOARD HAS A NICE SIMPLE ROUNDED EDGE.

THE PAINT IS 100% ORIGINAL AND SPECTACULAR.

Other examples of this design can be found in “Pennsylvania Dutch American Folk Art”, by Kauffman. There is also a wonderful article on the various floral and fruit decorations found on this piece. Also, see “Early Pennsylvania Arts and Crafts”, by John Stoudt, and “Folk Art of Rural Pennsylvania”, by Frances Lichten for more examples.

THIS LOVELY BOX MEASURES 9″ across, 6 1/2″ deep and 4 1/2″ tall.

Typical wear and imperfections with age. Minor losses to the paint as seen in the photos. The original lock is missing as well as the original oval tin escutcheon on the front. The brass hinges are later replacements and in replacing them they added a small 1/4″ strip on the inside rear of the box for added support. This would easily come off and does not affect the box in value or use. PRICE: sold