Henry Tribble’s Speaker Cabinet Catalog#: 1975.285.1 Donor: Girtha Tribble

Henry Tribble's Speaker Cabinet
This cabinet built to house a radio speaker is a wonderful example of what is called “folk marquetry.” This type of inlay work became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as lumber from exotic trees became available to home crafters like Henry Tribble of Rogers.

Inlay describes a technique in which the woodworker fits small pieces of wood or other materials into hollowed out areas, making a pattern. Although not visible in this photograph, a map of the United States is inlaid into the top of this cabinet. Tribble made at least one other similar item, a table. Both were most likely made in the 1920s.

Henry Wing Tribble was a descendent of one of the pioneer families of Rogers. His parents, Allan Yell and Martha Letitia Tribble, came to Rogers in 1881 with several members of Martha’s family. Interestingly these families came to Arkansas from Tennessee by covered wagon in an era when most long-distance travel was by train.

Henry was born April 10, 1886, in Rogers. While he earned a living as an electrician and carpenter, his second wife, Girtha, worked in the seed store owned by Marjorie Bryant and Sadie Tribble, Henry’s sister. This example of his work attests to his talents as a carpenter. Henry Tribble died in 1960. Fifteen years later his widow donated this cabinet and the table in similar style to the Rogers Historical Museum.

CREDITS

Linda Sholl, “Folk Marquestry,” Sholl Antiques (www.tramp-art.com/folk_marquetry.htm); Henry Tribble’s obituary, Rogers Daily News (March 16, 1960); “Mrs. Allan Y. Tribble Vividly Recalls Family’s Long Trip by Covered Wagon to Arkansas,” Rogers Daily News (July 1, 1950); conversation with Betty Gracy (May 10, 1990); McFarlin-Tribble Family Tree, Tribble Family File, Rogers Historical Museum Research Library.