Congo Kinshasa RPCV Steven Pody collects Art Nouveau jewelry boxes



Just back from the Peace Corps in October 1988, Steven Pody didn't have many possessions or much money. But at a Goodwill store near his hometown of Wilmington, Del., he spotted a silver-plated pewter jewelry box that made him say "Wow!" He bought it for $5. Pody was newly engaged and waiting for his bride to arrive that December on semester break from a teaching job in Greece. They'd met four years earlier as volunteers on an archaeological dig in Israel, then traveled together around Africa after he finished his Peace Corps assignment in Zaire. Between the time he bought that box and his bride's wintertime arrival, Pody had two missions. He looked for a job in Washington. And he learned all he could about his $5 box and started acquiring similar pieces. Today, the Podys' suburban Spotsylvania County foyer, music parlor and dining room are practically a museum of Art Nouveau jewelry boxes.

Congo Kinshasa RPCV Steven Pody collects Art Nouveau jewelry boxes

Collections thinking outside the box Small packages deliver

Spotsylvania man amasses a comprehensive collection of Art Nouveau jewelry boxes

By LAURA MOYER

Date published: 9/10/2007

Caption: Since 1988, Pody has collected 678 Art Nouveau jewelry boxes.

Just back from the Peace Corps in October 1988, Steven Pody didn't have many possessions or much money.

But at a Goodwill store near his hometown of Wilmington, Del., he spotted a silver-plated pewter jewelry box that made him say "Wow!" He bought it for $5.

Pody was newly engaged and waiting for his bride to arrive that December on semester break from a teaching job in Greece.

They'd met four years earlier as volunteers on an archaeological dig in Israel, then traveled together around Africa after he finished his Peace Corps assignment in Zaire.

Between the time he bought that box and his bride's wintertime arrival, Pody had two missions.

He looked for a job in Washington. And he learned all he could about his $5 box and started acquiring similar pieces.

Today, the Podys' suburban Spotsylvania County foyer, music parlor and dining room are practically a museum of Art Nouveau jewelry boxes.

Lighted cabinets display 678 boxes, each cataloged by date, place and price of purchase.

There are early examples from France, where the style developed, and representative pieces from each of the seven American companies that popularized the style in this country. Other boxes come from Germany, England, Austria, Argentina and Russia.

As avidly as he's collected the jewelry boxes, Pody has researched Art Nouveau from its beginnings in the late 19th century to its end in 1914 with the beginning of World War I.

The style--emphasizing flowing lines, feminine forms and nature themes--reflects the social and cultural attitudes of the time.

As the suffrage movement changed attitudes about women's role in society, Art Nouveau's women were meant to enchant while reflecting greater ideals such as truth and progress.

At the same time, writings by naturalist philosophers piqued the public's interest in natural splendors.

"It was a great new world, and they were putting it on boxes," Pody said.

In 1991 Steven Pody put his collecting passion on hold while he and Beate moved to the West African country of Mauritania for two years to re-establish a Peace Corps administrative post.

Their first child, Miranda, was just 4 months old when she left for Africa with her parents.

After the family's return, Pody picked up his research in earnest and wrote an article, published in Antiques & Auction News in 1996. He's written a book-length manuscript on the topic as well, but publication fell through and Pody isn't sure what its fate will be.

In the meantime, the Pody family grew. Son Micah was born in 1993, and David in 1995.

Even with a house full of little kids, Pody recalled, he was never afraid to have the jewelry boxes on display. Though the children liked to look at them, they never damaged any of the pieces.

He's given the children a few boxes as gifts, but so far none has shown signs of inheriting his passion for collecting.

That's fine with him--the house is full already.

And at 53, as he starts thinking about three children entering college in the next few years, Pody says he's ready to stop acquiring new boxes and simply appreciate the ones he has.

"When I come home from work tired from commuting," he said, "it just lightens the load to look at these beautiful pieces."

Laura Moyer: 540/374-5417
Email: lmoyer@freelancestar.com

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2007; Peace Corps Congo Kinshasa; Directory of Congo Kinshasa RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Congo Kinshasa RPCVs; Art

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