Boxlots Galore -- Need Help with One Item

The recent post on box lots and auctions made me smile as I just returned from one that hit that scavenger spot in me. Held twice a month close to my home, it emulates Crumpton et al in New Jersey. You pick out the lots you want, and you can make your own boxes as long as it's the same seller's item. But you can't pout if someone wants something out of "your" box.

Here is one item in one lot. Looks older, the decoupage seems to be out of Harper's Weekly and are definitely not prints. And the hinges and closures look like they have age to them as well. The box is covered with that same leather-ette stuff as you would find on old magic lantern slides. Best I can describe it. Wood underneath, dove tail joints.

Any thoughts on this box? I most likely find it neat since it was undetected at the bottom of a lot! Don't know what to ask, don't know exactly how old...

Taken with a drone

 

Maybe used to hold linens or gloves or somesuch?

 

I think that moreotherstuff is on the right track. Based on the images in the decoupage, it appears that it's probably for something clothing related.

What size is it?

My question is whether the decoupage was on the box originally, or added later by a craft person (whether a century ago or sooner). Can you tell? When you say the decoupaged images are definitely not prints, what do you mean by that?

 

Sorry, I forgot, 11" long, and 7-1/2" wide. Images are not offset prints but actual engravings so appear to be period HW pcs and not cut from later wall paper, etc.

Decoupage assuredly not original to the box. I thought perhaps a candy box, but it's wood and dovetailed. I have no idea how to tell if this was done later or earlier, except the black ground is partially gone on a few of the edges which leads me to believe the loss took place after the crafter finished. Or would you not recover or paint before adding them? Does that make sense?

Thanks for humouring me and chiming in on this -- had cabin fever after knee surgery and no driving for weeks so this hit the spot and I was probably happier to find anything at all in what is usually a wasteland for anything interesting in this poverty stricken area of SC.

 

I think the decoupage is amateur. Someone took a box, maybe for spoons or knives, and re-purposed it. Like fig, I'm guessing the theme had something to do with the new use.

Good that you're out and about.

 

Are those images from Godey's Lady's magazine?
Googling turns up a few Hanes hosiery boxes with Godey's fashion plates, but they are different and all look newer.

 

Looks, to me, like Milady's glove box, covered with shagreen.