Wooden jar

The jar looks like it was spun from one piece of wood. The bottom says "1909". Do you think that's the year of manufacture?
The stains on the wood are water, I just washed it.

 

I believe it is treenware.

 

It looks like there is a faded design on the front, flowers, or apples .. can barely make it out but the centers are dark .. VERY faded, Joy.

 

Did it have any paint on it? Was there a good patina before you washed it?

 

No and no. The wood has that ever so slightly greyish matte look to it, which I've come to associate with the interior of many ca 1900 furniture pieces. It smells like an attic too.

 

Size?

 

Approximately 4 or 4,5 x 5 or 5,5 inches.

 

It may have been an undecorated piece simply meant to protect a medical bottle or some such thing.

 

That could explain the year 1909 marked on it, maybe that was when it was packaged. And the lid is very tight and closes with precision, which would make sense for transportation or such.

 

Precision tool parts sometimes came in such containers as well.

 

In what day and age?

 

maybe a sewing paraphernalia storage box/case, as it looks like a large wooden spool:

 

Late 19th and early 20th century. Would fit with your 1909 date. For example, here is an old hygrometer in a case with a slip-on top rather than screw-on.


Have seen drill bits packaged in similar as well. Would most likely have had a paper label.

 

Hi,
I have several of the wooden holders. One had a sample of magnesium sulfate send to a person in 1905. Two had cologne samples, one had a slot on the top which held dimes as a bank.
greg

 

That's all very interesting. Do you think painting it partially with black chalk paint (adding a simple decorative border or a stenciled number tastefully) would hurt the item and its value, if there is any?

 

Hi,
JMHO. I would not add anything to it. I think it is fine just the way it is.
greg