Brainard & Wilson Corporation Victorian Jewelry Caskets
Item Details
A trio of Victorian jewelry caskets from Brainard & Wilson Corporation in Danbury, CT. A casket is a term for a container that is usually larger than a box and smaller than a chest, and in the past was typically decorated. Use of the word “casket” for burial purposes began as a euphemism introduced by the undertaker’s trade in North America—a “casket” was originally a box for jewelry. These boxes were normally decorated in Art Nouveau style and usually with flowers because of their symbolic meanings; they were often plated with a gold over metal formula. Two of these caskets have over the top handles and rose decoration; the other has a lift lid with daffodils. This box is labeled with B&W and 141 underneath and is lined with green chiffon. One of the rose boxes is pink lined and has B&W and 170/172/157 underneath; the other is not lined and has B&W 170 underneath and also ‘Patented 1904.’
Condition
Some slight tearing of the green fabric and mending of the pink. Some fading of the gold plate on both containers. All lids are still attached.
Dimensions
Measurement of larger container.
Item #
14LEX057-083
Additional Information
