Jewelry Box with Animal and Medieval Designs

Edgar Miller
1953
Cigar box, acrylic paint, gold leaf, glossy lacquer
H 7.5, L 16.5, W 23 cm

Perhaps inspired in the moment, Edgar Miller transformed an old cigar box into this hand-painted, lacquered jewelry box. It is likely that Miller decorated numerous boxes like these to sell at art fairs or give away as gifts, much like his hand-painted plates. He gave this particular box to his wife, Dale, for Christmas in 1953. The images portrayed in fine detail on its surface are of intricate animal figures; Medieval patterns decorate its sides and edges. This box is also embossed on top with gold leaf, smoothed together beneath a thin layer of glossy lacquer.