Pewter Box with Two Compartments 1935 - 1942

Harry Goodman made this pewter box with two compartments sometime during his lifetime, which stretched from 1855 to 1995. It is made of pewter, an alloy of tin with small amounts of other metals, often lead, and shows the metal's capacity to be cast, formed, and soldered together. The box’s material influences its appearance, giving it a metallic sheen and a certain weightiness. Pewter is relatively soft, allowing it to be worked with hand tools, but strong enough to hold its shape. It shows a direct connection to the arts and crafts movement, which favored hand-worked metals and simple forms. The amount of work involved in its production, from casting the basic shape to adding the hinges and interior dividers, speaks to a commitment to careful, unhurried labor. Understanding this box means appreciating the inherent qualities of pewter and the processes used to shape it, pushing us to see how these elements carry cultural and social significance.