Featured Box made in 1868. Looking for some info on it

Discussion in 'Furniture' started by Homesteader, Aug 10, 2016.

  1. Homesteader

    Homesteader New Member

    Hi there! This is my first posting. I inherited this box from my grandparents after they passed away. On the inside of the box is a list of all the woods used, along with the date it was made (1868).

    On the bottom there's a branding which says "I.c. Butterfield". Any info would be great thanks!

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    Lucille.b, cxgirl, SeaGoat and 7 others like this.
  2. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    That is very cool -- I'll guess that somebody collected those woods over a period of 21 years (Note that there is a date range from Dec. 26, 1868 - 1889.) I think it's more likely that the box was finished in 1889.

    Just speculation again, but if the person collected all of those woods and was a wood worker, he or she could have crafted the box over a period of years. Or, collected the pieces of wood over a period of years. And the box was made of many types of wood, obviously.

    Looks like the head on the front might have had antlers, horns, or maybe just ears at one time. They were either made of a different type of material, or of wood... but they fell off at some point.

    I love this thing! One of the most interesting items I've seen here lately.
     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2016
  3. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Oh, and I.C. Butterfield was likely to be the person who made it.

    Welcome to Antiquers!
     
    lloyd249 and tyeldom3 like this.
  4. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Agree with all the above. Think this is folk art in its true form. Too bad the ears/antlers are missing.
     
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  5. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    Hola, welcome, and... yeah - coolio box!!
     
    lloyd249 and tyeldom3 like this.
  6. Poisonivy

    Poisonivy Well-Known Member

    How unusual.
     
    lloyd249 likes this.
  7. Homesteader

    Homesteader New Member

    Ya the antlers
    Unfortunately we're broken off at one point. It's something I always loved when I went to my grandparents house and I was really fortunate when my mom gave it to me after they passed.


    Just out of curiosity, any idea how much something like this would be worth? I've never seen anything like it so I have no idea.
     
  8. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    It is an example of what is often called in Britain, 'shed work', one off pieces made by individuals for their own amusement.

    I don't think we have any actual 'folk art' that anyone would admit to.
     
    lloyd249, lauragarnet and Figtree3 like this.
  9. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    Whatever someone is willing to pay for it !
     
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  10. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    I adore you, AF. You're so BRITISH... or at least my corny stereotype. I picture you (as you type that) in a smoking jacket, drinking... oh I don't know... really old stinky Scotch. Where else would I ever have "met" you but here? No, of course there is no folk art there. Gimme a hug!
     
    lloyd249 likes this.
  11. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    A Hug? I don't think we have been introduced. :)
     
  12. say_it_slowly

    say_it_slowly The worst prison is a closed heart

  13. SeaGoat

    SeaGoat Well-Known Member

    I was going to say somewhere between 150-300+
    Its a beautiful beautiful box!
     
  14. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    That is a beautiful box.
     
  15. Poisonivy

    Poisonivy Well-Known Member

    If you want the British stereotype picture us drinking the ever present cup of tea......Or maybe thats just me :)
     
  16. GaleriaGila

    GaleriaGila Hola, y'all!

    Absolutely! Tea, too!

    Pip pip! Cheerio!

    See, Ivy? I speak British!
     
  17. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Here's lookin' at ya, G2.
     
  18. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Considering the quality of workmanship your box shows, I would put this at the high or even higher side of the examples SIS showed.

    Exquisite box.
    Any one in your family named Butterfield?
     
    Lucille.b and yourturntoloveit like this.
  19. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    What state were your grandparents in?

    upload_2016-8-11_18-30-13.png
     
    anundverkaufen likes this.
  20. Homesteader

    Homesteader New Member

    Illinois. How on earth did you find that??
     
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