Hat Box c. 1939

This is Mary E. Humes' rendering of a hat box in watercolor, its muted tones evoking a sense of aged stillness. The composition, stark in its simplicity, presents the box centrally, isolating it against a plain backdrop. The box itself is structured in two distinct parts: the cylindrical base, worn and cracked, supports the lid, which is emblazoned with the words "Hats & Caps" and "G.W. Duesberry, Richmond, Va." This text isn't merely descriptive; it functions as a signifier of commerce and place, embedding the object within a specific cultural and economic context. The cracks running along the cylinder destabilize the object's form, suggesting decay and the passage of time. It reminds us that objects, like language, can shift over time, gaining new meaning. The hat box is no longer a simple container but a historical artifact, its formal qualities intertwined with narratives of memory, commerce, and place.