Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2024.FIC.013 |
Object Name |
Box |
Title |
Larisa Salamacha Wooden Trinket Box |
Description |
The trinket box is a brown cylindrical shape with a removable lid featuring a floral design on top. The box is adorned with a black, curvy design that appears to be burned into the wood on the front, right, back, and left sides. The design is divided into two sections: a smaller, thicker design on the bottom and a larger, thinner one at the top and center. Around the edges of the lid are engraved black vertical lines. Most of the lid is covered with small black circles, interrupted by six brown flowers with red pistils arranged in a circle. Surrounding the center of the lid are six brown triangles, also arranged in a circle. These triangles each have a design featuring a curved-bottom triangle with a dark brown circle at the center. Inside the circle formed by the triangles, there are more small black circles, six long brown ovals arranged like a windmill, and six brown circles. The ovals, which are slightly darker brown near the center, form a windmill pattern, while the brown circles, which contain smaller green circles inside them, form a ring. When the lid is removed, the interior of the box reveals a slightly lighter brown shade, with no designs or features. On the bottom of the box, there is a black inscription: "To my music teacher from her pupil, Larisa Salamacha. June 24, 1963." This trinket box was likely intended as a gift for Isabelle B. Kaminski. According to her obituary, Kaminski is best known for founding the Trenton Conservatory of Music in 1929. She graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a B.S. in Elementary Early Childhood Education and a B.A. in Music. She later earned her M.A. in Music Education and Performance, also magna cum laude, from Columbia University, and certificates in music from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School. In addition to teaching music, the Trenton Conservatory of Music housed a nursery school known as the "Wee School" in its basement. Kaminski was also a member of the board for the Trenton Symphony. In 2002, the Mayor of Trenton recognized her as the oldest female owner of a business in the city. Kaminski retired from teaching in 2004 but continued to serve as the executive director emeritus of the conservatory until her passing in 2007. As of 2024, the Trenton Conservatory is now known as The Conservatory Mansion. Citations The Trenton Times. (2007, August 16). Isabelle Kaminski Obituary (2007). Legacy.com. https://obits.nj.com/us/obituaries/trenton/name/isabelle-kaminski-obituary?id=13755193 |
Date |
1963 |
Material |
Wood |
Artist |
Larisa Salamacha |
Height (in) |
1.500 |
Diameter (in) |
6.750 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Accretions throughout Front: There are white accretions all along the bottom. Also, there are brown accretions along the top. Right Side: There are white accretions all along the bottom. Also, there are abrasions on the center near the middle. Back: There is a large abrasion on the bottom near the middle. There are white accretions on the bottom near the middle. And finally, there are black accretions on top near the middle. Left Side: There are white accretions on the bottom. Top: There is an abrasion on the center near the right side. Bottom: There is wear all over. There is a pencil mark on the bottom near the middle. |
Inscription Type |
Inscription |
Inscription Location |
Bottom, Top to Bottom, Left to Right |
Inscription Technique |
Etched |
Inscription Text |
"To my music" Line 1 "teacher from her" Line 2 "pupil," Line 3 "Larisa" Line 4 "Salamacha" Line 5 |
People |
Isabelle B. Kaminski |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods Business & Commerce |
Subjects |
Wood Wood carving Wood engravings Music education Music Boxes |
Search Terms |
Isabelle B. Kaminski Larisa Salamacha Wooden Trinket Box Music Wood Box Teacher Trenton Conservatory of Music 1963 June 24 Larisa Salamacha Flowers Brown Green 20th Century Trenton Nursery School |
Provenance |
Found in collection |