Lovely valuables box painted with an all over faux burl paint and pinstripes around the edges. The top is painted with a beautiful bird in white, mustard, and salmon. In its beak, the graceful bird holds a wheat and a banner that flows above and below the bird and proclaims “This Box Contains My Private Papers”. Corners are rounded and I think it is all nailed construction although the beautiful job done on the paint hides most of the construction. From the bottom and top edge I can see little square nails. The paint is original with an old varnish finish that has just the right amount of craquelere. The inside of the box is lined with a later velvet….the color of the velvet is more purple than it looks in the photos. The original brass escutcheon is a lovely little shape that reminds me of the ribbons that people wear today to honor a group of people (pink, multi-colored….you know what I mean….). The escutcheon is adorned with punched initials “E.L.C.” and a couple of stars. The key remains with the box. The box measures 13” x 9” x 6 ¾” tall. You can see in the photos that there is some minor scuffing to the paint, especially at the edges of the box. This is a great little piece of practical folk art! Circa 2nd quarter of the 19th century.

#5824    $1750