Bandbox c. 1939

Holger Hansen rendered this bandbox – a lightweight, covered container for transporting apparel – in watercolor. Such boxes were typically made from pasteboard, which is produced by laminating sheets of paper together. Once formed, the boxes would be covered with decorative paper, often block-printed with repeating patterns. This particular bandbox features motifs associated with American patriotism; note the stylized eagle perched above a classical urn. The urn itself suggests an abundance of creativity, a concept that ties into the laborious handcrafting of the box. It would have taken considerable skill to produce this kind of appealing and functional object. Bandboxes like this one, while seemingly humble, reflect a vibrant intersection of craft, design, and national identity. They remind us that even everyday objects carry cultural significance, challenging our assumptions about what constitutes ‘art’.