Collection Highlights
Swing Low: A Harriet Tubman memorial
2007
2009.34
Cast bronze
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Dressing case
Object name
Dressing case
Date
1820-1840
Medium
Mahogany, pine (?)
Dimensions
Overall: 6 x 11 7/8 x 8 3/4 in. ( 15.2 x 30.2 x 22.2 cm )
Description
Rectangular mahogany dressing case with hinged lid and locking mechanism with brass escutcheon; fitted with two lift-out trays and mirror on swivel base which fits into lid of case and secures with rotating brass latch. Box houses belongings and memorabilia of the Phyfe family, including tintype photograph of Edward Phyfe, Duncan Phyfe's eldest son; metal mechanical pencil engraved "DP"; calling cards of Duncan Phyfe Whitlock and Eliza P. Whitlock; pin cushion with initials "DPW"; seal stamp with initials "SW" (Sidney Whitlock); miniature set of dominoes, and a variety of sewing implements.
Credit Line
Purchase
Object Number
2000.922ab
Marks
written: in pencil on tintype wrapper: "Locke Phyfe/brother/of Duncan Phyfe"
engraved: on calling cards (13): "Duncan P. Whitlock"
printed: on wrapper for calling card engraving plate: "Edward P. Whaites,/Wedding & Visiting Card Engraver,/Cor. of Barclay St. and roadway,/New-York,..."
engraved: on calling card (1): "Eliza P. Whitlock"
Gallery Label
This simple mahogany dressing case is filled with personal items belonging to descendants of New York cabinetmaker Duncan Phyfe (1768-1854). The box may have been made by Phyfe for his daughter Mary (b. 1795), who married clipper ship captain Sydney B. Whitlock (1794-1849) of Brooklyn. The box descended from Mary, acquiring various personal items of the Phyfe and Whitlock families, including a tintype photograph of Mary's brother Edward taken around 1870.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
