Long Painted Box

This vibrantly painted chest, made in the United States in the late 19th century, features three interior compartments beneath a lift-top lid. Notably elongated in form, the exterior is finished in a bright lapis lazuli blue ground, decorated with its date – 1878 – as well as polychrome floral motifs. Its sheer scale and compartmentalized interior suggest it functioned as a blanket chest, or even a wedding chest for the storage of ceremonial linens and textiles.

Year: 18th century

Material: Wood, paint

Dimensions: W 94 x D 17 x H 18 in