Late 18th or early 19th century, Germanic, bent pine with tied joints and polychrome paint decoration; the larger featuring tulips to the lid, sides, and base; the smaller with similar floral decoration to the sides and base.

The larger 5 x 8 3/4 x 14 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.

The smaller box with greater wear to the paint on the lid exposing the wood and flaking to the paint on the sides and base; both with natural wood splitting and general wear.