little glass boxes

On the shelf above the books there was room for Mary's and Laura's and Carrie's little glass boxes. Each box had frosted flowers on its side and colored flowers on the lid. The three made that shelf all bright and gay. - By the Shores of Silver Lake, Chapter 29, "The Shanty on the Claim"

Laura Ingalls Wilder doesn't tell us where the "little glass boxes" came from, but logistics tells us that they must have dated from Walnut Grove or earlier. There are pictures of Laura's glass box in William Anderson's Laura Ingalls Wilder Country.

My little glass box came from the Ingalls Homestead in De Smet! Don't you just love it?? It's about the size of, hmmm, a calling card (I measured; it's roughly 2 x 3 x 1.5 inches tall), and has beveled glass sides, with a glass bottom and lid. The lid has a portrait of Laura on it (several different images to choose from when I was there), and the glass inside has written text like a manuscript or diary, so you see it through the lid. It was made by Mary Hunt; you can read about them on her blog HERE. The photo Mary took is better than mine - another reason to visit.

I used to collect little trinket boxes, and on my dresser, I have a display cabinet full of them. I doubt I'll put this one in it, though; mostly I want to hold it in my hand and fondle it. I'm thinking I'll put it on the desk in here, and keep my calling cards in it.
- posted by pioneergirl at 11:09 PM