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Bible Boxes
The term “Bible box” has its origins in the romantic notions of late-19th-century collectors. Some boxes of this type were associated with churches and held Bibles, but the greater majority of boxes of this type were used in homes to hold papers and documents. If Bibles were stored with such papers, the book itself may have been valuable or, more likely, the birth, marriage, and death dates inscribed in handwriting on its pages were the primary means of family record keeping.
Bible boxes are rectangular coffers. They’re typically nailed together, and not dovetailed. Because they were made to rest on a table or stand, the bottom board often extends beyond the sides. Average dimensions range from 12 to 18 inches deep, 18 to 24 inches wide, and 6 to 8 inches high, though smaller and larger boxes exist. Lids are hinged and flat. And contrary to myth, most boxes had locks.
The earliest Bible boxes used in America were brought from Britain. They were oak, often heavily carved (especially on the front), and frequently inscribed with initials or dates. American Bible boxes were probably not display objects—they’re not high cabinetry. Most were made by a family member or local artisan, just the way blanket boxes were. Whereas in England it was unthinkable not to carve something, 17th- and 18th-century Americans didn’t have a strong carving tradition. Their boxes were mostly pine, and simply painted in one or two colors. They were sometimes scratch- and punch-decorated but not usually carved.
Americans favored the snipe hinge, which looks a little like two bobby pins mating. The English used a greater variety of hardware, including butterfly hinges, long-armed straps, or even butt hinges. Also, American boards tend to be thicker than English boards: 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick versus 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thick.
American Bible boxes, though simpler, are the most sought after, in part because they are rarer. There were fewer people in the colonies, and the boxes were used for a shorter period of time.
Bible boxes are rectangular coffers. They’re typically nailed together, and not dovetailed. Because they were made to rest on a table or stand, the bottom board often extends beyond the sides. Average dimensions range from 12 to 18 inches deep, 18 to 24 inches wide, and 6 to 8 inches high, though smaller and larger boxes exist. Lids are hinged and flat. And contrary to myth, most boxes had locks.
The earliest Bible boxes used in America were brought from Britain. They were oak, often heavily carved (especially on the front), and frequently inscribed with initials or dates. American Bible boxes were probably not display objects—they’re not high cabinetry. Most were made by a family member or local artisan, just the way blanket boxes were. Whereas in England it was unthinkable not to carve something, 17th- and 18th-century Americans didn’t have a strong carving tradition. Their boxes were mostly pine, and simply painted in one or two colors. They were sometimes scratch- and punch-decorated but not usually carved.
Americans favored the snipe hinge, which looks a little like two bobby pins mating. The English used a greater variety of hardware, including butterfly hinges, long-armed straps, or even butt hinges. Also, American boards tend to be thicker than English boards: 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch thick versus 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch thick.
American Bible boxes, though simpler, are the most sought after, in part because they are rarer. There were fewer people in the colonies, and the boxes were used for a shorter period of time.
Latest page update: made by jsonderg
, Apr 19 2007, 1:38 PM EDT
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