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CopperWomanStudio

Doodle, Sketches & Geometrics

9/21/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
Two different end designs from
bentwood boxes.
These are not my
designs.

    While studying some old boxes and chests I was struck, yet again, by the beauty and singularity of the end designs. Those formline “sketches” or “doodles” that all seem to be unique to the piece they’re on have always piqued my curiosity and I am in love with their simple elegance.

Today it’s difficult to categorically state that a design had a specific purpose, but we can take educated stabs at it. For instance, no one knows why the red corner cooking boxes have geometrics on the lids, nor does anyone know why the sides/ends of bentwood chests and boxes have beautiful ideographic designs.
One day while looking at the designs on the ends of chests I was suddenly struck with the memory of my old Aunties and Grandmothers gathered around a feast table searching out their Tupperware and other containers on which each had written their names (back in those days Tupperware was worshipped!). It occurred to me that these end and lid designs may represent the old version of writing our names on our containers. When a family went to a feast many of their household articles would go along; one had to take whatever would be necessary for an a stay of indeterminate length so one needed plenty of containers to haul and store all these goods in - baskets, cooking boxes, storage boxes.... It could be difficult when it came time to go home for each woman to determine which boxes and chests were hers since many bore very similar designs on the front and back, and since the red corner boxes only bore the red painted corners. A distinctive geometric on the lid or formline “sketch” on the sides of a box or chest would immediately distinguish which container belonged to whom. Packing would have been much simpler if your luggage easily identifiable. I just had an image of beautiful chests, baskets and boxes slowly carouselling in a stunning parade at the baggage claim at SeaTac!

It’s just a theory. A practical thing that came to mind suddenly one day. There’s no one today who can confirm whether my idea is true or not. But, it seems like a logical theory and I’m going to hang onto it till someone of great knowledge and experience disabuses me of it.
2 Comments
Wendy
3/26/2018 10:10:53 am

Hi Melanie, Just got off your other website. I thought it was great! Just thought I would write you a little note about it! Love you, Wendy

Reply
Laurie Goodhart link
10/31/2019 07:42:18 pm

I think that comment rings true. We evolved along with and/or from animals. Actions have practical purposes. Our specialty as humans seems to be putting stories around our function-based activities. Your idea makes all the sense in the world, and doesn't preclude each of those designs having their own sacred meanings, or originating simply in what someone enjoyed drawing.

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