Swift: in box w/ inlay

Swift: in box w/ inlay

Swift: in box w/ inlay Swift (broken) in a mahogany box with ivory inlay. A swift is a reel for winding yarn or thread. "History of the Swift & Box (from a note in the box). David T. Swain. Made on board ship BALTIC, on a four year voyage. Swift box and work box on the home trip in 1838, materials cut from a very large mahogany tree among the Sandwich Islands, one hundred years old. The Swift cup & attachment for the table was made from ivory taken from the whales tooth." The donor (Mr. Christian W. Hearon) obtained the swift from his uncle, Edwin S. Hearon, who got it from a friend, Donald Swain. Donated in memory of Capt. William C. Hearon.