Watch Box
1830–50
Medium
Mahogany
Dimensions
20.3 × 19.1 × 8.2 cm (8 × 7 1/2 × 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
box
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
74081
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Art Institute of Chicago's Arts of the Americas collection, this unassuming yet elegant *Watch Box* from 1830–50 exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of mid-19th-century decorative arts. Crafted from rich mahogany—a tropical hardwood prized for its durability, deep reddish-brown grain, and lustrous polish—this small box measures just 20.3 × 19.1 × 8.2 cm, perfect for safeguarding a gentleman's pocket watch on a bedside table or dresser. Mahogany's prominence in American furniture and accessories during this era underscored status and sophistication, often sourced from the Cari...