Bandbox, 1859

01

Artifact Overview

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 Details

Artifact

Bandbox (Container)

Date Made

1859

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2001.0.18.21

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Cardboard
Wallpaper
Newspaper

Color

Blue
Red
White (Color)
Turquoise (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 5.5 in
Width: 9.25 in
Length: 6.5 in

Bandbox, 1859