John Shaw and Archibald Chisholm

THE ANNAPOLIS COMPLEX COLLECTION
A Wealth of Maryland History

Maker: John Shaw (1745-1829) and Archibald Chisholm (d. 1810)

Object: Document Box
Date: c. 1784
Medium: Mahogany, mahogany veneers and tulip poplar
Dimensions: H: 8 1/2" [closed], W: 14", D: 10 1/2"
Accession number: MSA SC 1545-0814

This mahogany document box bears the label of Annapolis cabinetmakers John Shaw and Archibald Chisholm, and probably dates to their second partnership in 1784. Locks on the lid and the lower drawer indicate that the box was intended to store valuable items such as money or important documents in both compartments. The sturdy brass bail handles suggest that the box could have been used to store and transport heavier materials, such as coins, instead of just documents. A removable wooden divider originally separated the upper case into two sections. The lower drawer, which has lost its original hardware, was fitted to store quills, ink, and perhaps papers; the shelf on the left side was originally removable, providing an additional storage compartment.

The design of this document box may have been influenced by the appearance of English tea boxes and tea caddies, both of which were commonly imported and sold by Shaw and Chisholm. It is representative of the neat-and-plain style characteristic of Annapolis furniture. Although utilitarian in design, the molding and the blind dovetails used to secure the main case all indicate the work of a sophisticated craftsman. The box retains its original finish and bears evidence of several early repairs to its structure, including the tin brackets on the interior that helped to secure the top.