Bandbox, 1818

Summary

In the early 1800s, Americans used bandboxes to store clothing, accessories, and other small items. Bandboxes were handy containers in the home, or when traveling by stage, boat, or rail. Manufacturers covered these inexpensive pasteboard or wooden boxes with colorful papers. Some bandboxes were covered with papers depicting animals, places or specific scenes. Others, such as this one, were covered with decorative wallpaper of the day.

In the early 1800s, Americans used bandboxes to store clothing, accessories, and other small items. Bandboxes were handy containers in the home, or when traveling by stage, boat, or rail. Manufacturers covered these inexpensive pasteboard or wooden boxes with colorful papers. Some bandboxes were covered with papers depicting animals, places or specific scenes. Others, such as this one, were covered with decorative wallpaper of the day.

Artifact

Bandbox (Container)

Date Made

1818

Place of Creation

United States 

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

30.1731.3

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Newspaper
Wallpaper

Color

Green
Pink (Color)
White (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 in

Width: 14.25 in

Length: 9.25 in

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