Nothing wrong with wanting to improve one's appearance. Such was the sensibility of 19th century, country craftsmen when it came to making boxes. Lacking the resources to carpenter with finer, more expensive figured woods, tradesmen compensated by mimicking more elegant woods with a technique known as faux bois painting. From the estate of a passionate antique collector, this humble dresser box constructed of butt and mortise and tenon joinery, order appeals for its watery, hand rubbed, tortoise shell veneer, brass hinges, and hand cut rectangular nails. Separate is a pull out front drawer complete with an original, hand painted porcelain knob. Prominently surrounded by a painted ellipse, the E. Meyer monogram, scripted in a flourished period font, claims ownership. Suspended drips of varnish coat the soft wood, most likely birch or poplar. Absent its original skeleton key, one can only surmise that the personal belongings stored within long ago probably don't differ too much from what we might keep from the light of day today. A handsome example made more lovely when arranged with other boxes of graduated size. What cherished objects will you cache?
Being offered in as found condition. Clean interior. Intact construction. As expected for age, evident wood shrinkage and surface wear especially on edges along with minor surface scratches.
Measurements:
12 1/2" W x 7 3/4" D x 7" H
Weighs 3.7 pounds
Product code: Antique Faux Bois Box/ Antique Dresser Box/ Antique Wood Box order