Delaware Antiques Show 2021

worldwide when Brigham was studying, traveling, and devising her book. The arts and crafts movement posited that challenges set forth by modernity, industrialization, and the social and economic conditions they presented could be overcome by taking joy in laboring over and living with handcrafted objects. The objects, interiors, and outlook for which Brigham advocates resonate with this movement’s idea that craftwork holds transformational potential. While design and aesthetics are central to Box Furniture , this book was primarily intended to allow everyday people to affordably construct and furnish their homes with beautiful, functional objects. Brighamwas committed to sharing this process with those who otherwise may not have had access to arts and crafts furnishings, which were often expensive despite their emphasis on “democratic design.” In this respect, Box Furniture can be understood as an example of the arts and crafts movement functioning as it was intended to, with the ideals of handwork and beauty available to everyone, regardless of economic standing (fig. 4) . However, while Brigham herself was committed to living in an entirely handcrafted environment, it is unclear whether she expected her students to commit to this project so completely. While the ideals of the arts and crafts movement and the Progressive Era made sense to Brigham, the lived experiences of immigrants and the urban poor in places like New York City at the turn of the century may have made engaging with Box Furniture challenging or unrealistic in practice. Nevertheless, Box Furniture still has relevance in a contemporary context. While the packing materials we throw away today are not as well suited to building furniture as turn-of-the-century wooden crates—much of it is designed and destined to be disposed of—we can still learn from the spirit of this text. The environmental consequences of ignoring the imperative to reuse, recycle, and reduce our waste are dire. Box Furniture offers the opportunity to think creatively about the potential in the trash and materials around us today. Jena R. Gilbert-Merrill is a second-year Lois F. McNeil Fellow in the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture. Fig. 4. Boys from the Home Thrift Association transporting boxes to workshop in Gracie Mansion. From Brigham’s Illustrated Lectures in Winterthur Library NK2408 B85 1919. — 15 —