Late 18th or early 19th century, Germanic, bent pine with tied joints, polychrome paint decorated featuring a couple over a heart inscribed in German translating to "What I have in my heart I share with thee" to the lid, fruit and foliate decoration to the rim and base, not signed.

8 1/2 x 11 1/4 x 18 1/2 in.

The Estate of the late Dr. Larry Southworth, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Brokered by Bill Beck from King & Queen County, Virginia

Bride’s boxes were created in a distinctive folk art style by people living in Switzerland, the Palitanate, and the Upper Rhine regions of Germany, many of whom immigrated and settled in the Pennsylvania and Virginia area, beginning in the early 17th century. Fleeing religious persecution from their homelands, they found rich and isolated farmland along the Great Wagon Road. Bride’s boxes became an important element of the American folk art tradition characterized by the bold use of color and motifs such as birds and flowers.

Age splitting to the lid, dark patina, wear at the rim and base, some plaster residue.