Featured Lil' Brown Box

I think probably a tea or spice box. Compartments probably had tins or jars that fit them. Mid to late 19th century. Hard to tell wood. Out of focus front pic and interior of lid look like cherry. Top looks like pine. If faux graining is original and was on all sides, mixed woods are possible.

 

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

OK, it's cherry. Or pine. Or mixed.
Yes, it is 1800s.
OK, I'll go with more than $100.

All that aside, thanks especially to Komokwa and Brad for their civil input.

 

I went back and really looked at the pics after Brad posted,and now its clear I need to look at something a few times before posting. I didnt see ANY of that,not even the little heart around the lock. Color me embarrassed !

 

I'm sorry you thought me uncivil. My reply wasn't meant to be. However, I was correct that it was not mahogany or walnut.

I said "I think" therefore there is plenty of room for me to be wrong.

BTW, you never showed a picture or the bottom of the tray, nor did you state whether there was glue residue on the bottom.

 

Thanks, johnny and cluttered.

And no, there is no glue reside on the bottom of the tray. There's no glue on the tray at all. Each edge is held together by tiny hand-cut dovetails, which I don't remember noticing before. I'm glad that I've been able to re-examine and learn more about something as seemingly simple as a wooden box.

 

Just a question......am I missing reading something? Why does it look like I'm seeing a layer of veneer around the bottom section of the box????? Yes, it's a bit blurry, but if you look carefully, with clicking on the image........JMHO........

But I LOVE the box, BTW!!!! Mom LOVED any chest with heart shaped escutcheons!!!!!!!!

 

I saw the same thing, but was afraid to say anything.
Looking again, what I thought was glue on the bottom inside is actually ink stain.

So maybe this box was used for bottles of ink.

 

At this point I know I'm not 'hi-jacking' anything, just wanted to show my fav. chest escutcheon sitting in our LR....has a ship carved on top....also came from Mom & Dad!! HEARTS are a GOOD thing!!!!!

 

The initial pictures were blurry and in bad light, so I can see why people had a hard time with identification. It would be great to see clear pics in good light.