Featured Lil' Brown Box

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by Ghopper1924, Oct 26, 2017.

  1. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Hey all:

    This little walnut box measures 10" wide x 8" deep x 6.5" tall. No markings. The compartmentalized tray is currently supported by a make-do new candle stand so that it will be level with the top of the box opening. Whatever may have supported it originally is long gone.

    The neat things about it are the heart-shaped escutcheon and the faux-graining that was only done on one side of the box, obviously by hand. Both lend a kind of innocent charm.

    It was purchased in U.S. midwest about 10 years ago. Although I can't tell where it was made, I'm going to guess it was around 1820-30 or so. I'll say replacement is about $100, although of course it can't be replaced. Would you agree? P1010226.JPG P1010227.JPG P1010228.JPG

    BTW, the marbles were made by John Hammon Miller of Hannibal, MO.
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Can you show the box without the insert?
     
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  3. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Wow, your response was so quick that actually, I can. Lots of ink stains and stains to the interior finish. P1010231.JPG P1010232.JPG P1010233.JPG
     
    judy, kyratango and Any Jewelry like this.
  4. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Does it look like the line of stain on the left side in the first interior picture is the only evidence of where the insert was supposed to sit? Strange.
     
    judy likes this.
  5. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

  6. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    What about the surface of the top? I'm suspicious of the way the interior of the lid looks.
     
    judy likes this.
  7. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    The edges of the top are slightly rounded. P1010235.JPG
     
    kyratango likes this.
  8. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    I don't think the box is as old as you suspect
    I think $100...is low
    & I love the quilt !!! :happy:
     
  9. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    You could be right about the date. Just basing my guess on things I've seen from the time period.

    What would your estimate on $ replacement be?

    Thanks for the kind words re: the quilt. My wife made it, as they say in the U.S. deep south, "her ownself."
     
  10. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    I like your wife more every time I see it !!:)
    Tell her......good on her !!!....;):happy:......it's lovely !!

    I'm thinking you could bump up the $ to $175........
     
  11. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Very nice of you to say it; I will pass that along. She's super talented, though I do say so....:angelic:

    And thanks for the idea on the $ bump.
     
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  12. tie.dye.cat

    tie.dye.cat Well-Known Member

    Looks similar to a pie safe my grandfather made for my grandmother; the insert would be so that you could carry 2 pies in one box.

    ETA: looking at some images on google, I'm not sure pie safe would be the correct term though that's what my mother and grandmother always referred to it as. Maybe simply pie box.
     
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  13. tie.dye.cat

    tie.dye.cat Well-Known Member

    Just measured the box: 11" x 12" x 4.5", so I don't know if the dimensions would work for pie tins or not. Are pie tins 8" or 9" across?
     
    judy likes this.
  14. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Too small for pies, plus the ink stains argue for something writing-related.
     
    judy likes this.
  15. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    I don't think it is mahogany.
    I don't think it is 1800s.
    I don't think it is worth $100.

    What does the bottom of the tray look like? Does it have all the glue like stuff on it that the bottom of the inside has?

    @verybrad for wood confirmation.
     
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  16. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    I think its a homemade sewing box and I agree not terribly old.
     
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  17. tie.dye.cat

    tie.dye.cat Well-Known Member

    Ahh, would help if I read a little slower and saw the word "ink" before "stains".
     
    judy likes this.
  18. Ghopper1924

    Ghopper1924 Well-Known Member

    Actually, nobody said anything about mahogany.
     
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  19. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    You're right - you said Walnut.

    I do not think it is walnut.
     
    judy likes this.
  20. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    I believe and I may be wrong about this - so hopefully Brad will drop in tonight - That the artificial stain was done in the early 1900s on lower quality woods.
     
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