Bandbox 1935 - 1942

Lee Hager created this watercolor painting of a bandbox at an unknown date. At first glance, the design of the bandbox appears to be wallpaper or chintz. Yet this is not the case. These boxes were constructed out of thin, lightweight materials like cardboard or wood. What makes them special is the patterned paper that’s meticulously glued to the surface. The covering papers were often remnants from wallpaper, or even pages torn from books and newspapers. That’s thrifty, but it’s also ingenious. Rather than accepting the preciousness of fine art, it elevates the everyday to something visually compelling. The construction of these bandboxes was often a cottage industry, with women working from their homes. While the box itself may not be inherently valuable, it signifies the importance of resourcefulness and creativity in ordinary life. By blurring the lines between utility, decoration and fine art, the bandbox reminds us of the artistry embedded in vernacular objects.