Featured Guess What Time It Is?

Take this Dennis box up for sale, it would not surprise me if the auctioneer knows who the winning bidder is as of right now (in his pocket).
The only thing he doesn't know is, how much it will sell for.

 

That's kind of expected for Thomas Dennis but Ruth Allen?
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Please tell us what happens. It is always exciting to hear.

 

You mean Ruth Allen was not the owner, but a carver?

 

Ruth Allen was the owner, the box maker is/was unknown.

 

DITTO!!!!!

 

A hand carved box from 1716 was the important part then. Now I see.

 

Yes, a very nice example but not spectacular or historically important to my knowledge and, in only fair condition. Lock was missing, lid was broken, bottom replaced and brown paint was not original.
You never know when something like that happens, perhaps a distant relative discovers it and is determined to have it, cost be damned.
A wealthy collector falls in lust with it and again, cost be damned. bla bla bla
You just never know, stuff happens!

 

Funny to imagine that back in 1756, some guy was showing that box to his ' Antiquer ' friends ...asking if they thought it was ok to repair and repaint it...and they all said .." it's not that old and if you luv it...go ahead and fix it up !! "

Antiquers of Yor !!! Heehehe!!!!!!!!

 

I am afraid you misunderstood me. When I said they were equivalent, I was speaking in terms of their importance among relevant collectors. I then tried to explain why her baskets are so valued. Most people don't appreciate the skill that goes into a well made basket.

Preparation of the materials are surprisingly similar, but on a different scale. The primary material used in Washoe baskets such as Dat So La Lee's is willow. It is harvested at a particular time, traditionally from stands that have been maintained as coppiced plants. Rods of one year's growth are used. Those used for stitching are gathered in the fall after the leaves have fallen but before the first frost. Those used for the 3-rod coil foundation can be gathered during the winter. Rods used for the stitching must be split into 3 even parts, typically by starting a split on one end with a knife, then holding one segment in the teeth while working the other 2 sections with the hands down the length of the rod. The pith is then shaved off with a knife (traditionally a clam shell was used), and each strand reduced to an even thickness. Before use, the bark must be peeled and each strand sized to a consistent width by drawing it through a series of different sized holes punched in a can lid (or worked with a knife/clam shell). Care is taken not to scrape the outer surface of the willow, to preserve the white color and surface sheen. Depending on the size of the basket, a great many prepared strands would be required for the stitching elements alone. Bracken fern and redbud, used for the design elements, also had particular preparation requirements. This all before the weaving can even begin. It could take months to complete a high quality basket

I might suggest that the Dennis box is valued as much (if not more) for its age and provenance as for any inherent artistic qualities (imo).

If your argument is that "big tough man work with big tough material. Little woman only work with twigs" - then we may have an issue........

 

Obviously, you were in love with it or it wouldn't still rankle after 10 years. Even though it was battered through use. I find the large letters across the face most charming.

 

I was smitten with it, no doubt about it.

 

Women's handmade "stuff" has traditionally been valued less than men's handmade "stuff". Why I'll never know.

 

Because it's a man's world and it always will be.

 

Agreed!

 

Yes, although the side carving of tulips & strapwork was very well done, the fact it was dated didn't hurt either.
The condition was fair at best which led me to believe that it was "gettable", unlike the box that started this thread which clearly is not.
Finally, the box was once owned by Lillian Blankley Cogan "Queen Lillian", the first female dealer to compete with the "big boys" of her day and actually best them every now & then.

 

Another thing I forgot about the Ruth box, it was long ago but obviously NOT forgotten! and kinda important.
It was sold not at a big-time toney auction house in NYC but at a small country type auction, Garth's in Ohio.

 

I feel your disappointment. It really looked like the stars were aligned for you to get it. Did you travel to Ohio to bid? This would have made it worse - not going to Ohio, which is a beautiful state, but putting so much effort into it.

 

No, didn't go to the site itself, bid online.
Just one of those things, stuff happens!
Another thing about early boxes is, it draws collectors from other categories of collectors, folk art people come immediately to mind and I am sure there are others.