An elegant eye-catcher is a rim and box made of contrasting species.
As useful as open boxes are, they were not designed to hold sweets. They were meant for what makes me shiver: the expectoration of smoking tobacco. These open, round boxes had rims and were filled with fresh wood shavings to prevent tobacco smokers from contaminating the floors.
This form is rarely seen except in picture books, which shows the fear that it can be misused. I refuse to name it in a historical way because I want to change that aversion. A round, open box is a good description of this elegant and useful box.
This form, with its appealing rim, was a sight I saw at Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, Mass. 25 years ago. We know that they were made at Mt. Daniel Crossman, Lebanon Shaker Village in New Lebanon, N.Y.
Finger & rim detail. The rim is the defining feature on a round Shaker box; its accentuated by brass escutcheon pins and a maple band to contrast with the cherry of the box band. Note how the rim starts in the curve of the top finger and is feathered at the end for a smooth curve.
The pattern of the finger lap and construction are in the oval box tradition, but the rim is different. The rim adds strength to an object meant for floor use and is a nice finishing touch to a box that does not have a lid or handle. The inside end of this rim band is not feathered; rather it is fitted into the edge of the top finger curve. The band can be ended straight and feathered, or have a single narrow finger. Brass escutcheon pins are used to fasten the band. They are snipped and peened from the inside.
Renaming this historic form for new use in the contemporary home is a fitting way to re-introduce this Shaker classic.
Proportions
No. 11 No. 22 No. 33 No. 44
Diameter 18 cm 8 9 28 cm
Band (l, w) 3 x 74 cm 3 x 84 cm 3 x 39 5 x 109 cm
Band thickness –
Rim x 2 7 x 79 cm x 89 cm x 40
Fingers 3; 2 long 3; 2 long 3; 2 long 4; 2 long
Circumference 22 26 34
Tack Size #2 #2 #2 or #2 #2 or #2
Source Grasselli1 Wilson2 Myers3 Sprigg4
