In the first decade after the Wright brothers' first successful flights in 1903, public fascination with aviation grew. The airplane soon became part of popular culture. Airplanes and flight related themes began to appear in jewelry, clocks, games, decorative boxes, postcards, and more. This small decorated box depicts a Bleriot Monoplane.
Display Status
This object is on display in Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Object Details
Date
ca. 1910
Country of Origin
France
Type
MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
Physical Description
Small metal trapezoidal box with detatchable slightly domed lid. Lid depicts Bleriot monoplane ascending, flying to the viewer's left. Sky is blue and white, no distinct clouds or other features.. The edge of a grassy cliff is visible on the right, while waves are below the plane. "BLERIOT" in black block letters upper right. Bordered in red, white, and blue rope. Lip is dull yellow, with a partial white area likely cut from another design on viewer's right. Lip extends about 1/2 depth of box. Box is unadorned brass color, with a worn and uneven upper edge. No maker marks on box or lid.
Dimensions
3-D (8g): 5 × 3.6 × 1.3cm (1 15/16 × 1 7/16 × 1/2 in.)
Materials
Metal (Enameled Brass)
Inventory Number
A19840705000
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.