Featured Does anybody know what the divisions in this box was for?

Alas, I am not local. It needs polishing, a lot of elbow grease especially on the brass mounts and studs. That will take some time because I have muscle issues, so 'pelan-pelan' (slowly-slowly) as they say in Indonesia.
One of the bun feet had a piece broken off, but the piece was inside the box so I glued it back in place. One of the brass studs came off the lid, but that is also inside the box, so I'll put it back once everything is polished. Other than that no splits or breaks. A beast of a Dutch colonial document box for 50 euros.

I'll post it in a separate thread and tag you, but I still have to resize the photos.

I agree. I feel the same about Indonesian keris, sometimes buy them just to rescue them from neglect and disrespect.

 

It sounds like a real beauty, if the brass is really bad use vinegar and salt, mix to a paste and use old toothbrush, works a treat on really tarnished brass.

 

Yes, I read that and thought it worth a try. Thanks for confirming it.

 

It would. Many professionals use vinegar and sodium bicarbonate. It may well be the sodium that does the trick.

 

I have sodium bicarbonate, so I could use that instead.

 

It's used to clean all sorts of things, even teeth.