Patch Boxes of Kentucky Rifles c. 1937

Curator: These objects appear strangely suspended in space. I am drawn to the earthy, watercolor wash outlining their forms. Editor: That subtle halo almost gives them an otherworldly feel, doesn't it? We are looking at a study titled "Patch Boxes of Kentucky Rifles," created around 1937 by Albert Levone. It appears to be rendered with colored pencils, watercolor, and perhaps charcoal. What initially grabs you about these shapes? Curator: The forms resonate with echoes of heraldry and power. Each patch box design is like a crest. The horse head and especially the eagle – symbols so freighted with national identity and martial prowess – evoke a very specific, idealized vision of early America. Editor: Yes, those symbolic markers are striking. I’m equally captivated by the rhythmic play of geometric and organic motifs. The rigid lines of the box bodies contrast so vividly with the swirling, almost Baroque, ornamentation around them. Notice, too, the fine, radiating lines engraved to suggest gleaming surfaces. Curator: And the use of specific animal figures certainly carries intended meaning beyond pure aesthetics. An equine motif like this one represents power, virility, and, above all, loyalty. Here we see that powerful, mythic West articulated through common utilitarian objects. Editor: The formal repetitions are so interesting as well, acting almost as an inventory, perhaps? We can see small variations within each box shape and design. It shows a fascinating balance between utility, design, and symbolic intention. The artist is carefully dissecting this item and looking at what components create both functional design and something that carries broader symbolic meaning. Curator: Absolutely. Everyday items become imbued with layers of historical meaning, becoming talismans connecting present to the past. They show tangible links between craft, identity, and myth-making within early frontier culture. This close attention to their design emphasizes those historical meanings of the designs. Editor: I think what captivates me the most is the level of detail Levone achieves with what seem like such modest materials. Curator: Ultimately, this rendering reminds me how symbols can solidify emotional and cultural concepts across time, creating lasting power. Editor: For me, it’s how line, color, and form combine to elevate the ordinary, pointing to deeper ideas.