Outstanding
Paint Decorated Box

Delightful “Christmas-like”
Color Palette  

New England, ca. 1830. Original paint on what appears to be basswood.

With unusually ambitious paint decoration, the exterior is covered on all sides (except the red-painted back) with rhythmic three and four leaf clover-like designs, and clusters of bittersweet and black dots, many retaining a subtly raised, jewel-like quality. The elaborate and time-intensive decoration suggests a piece intended for a discriminating buyer or as a special gift.

Well preserved and entirely original, including the hinges, hasp, and decorative brass keyhole cover. Never fitted for a lock. The painted surface shows expected abrasions and wear from nearly two centuries of use. The interior is clean apart from an old ink-spill on the bottom, an appealing record of its history.

The box is very well made, with dovetailed joinery, hand-planed domed top; medium size for this form of about 24 inches long x 12 deep x 11 high. Its structural condition is excellent, and without cracks.

A fine addition to a collection of early paint, this piece from American history would also make an especially memorable and useful Christmas gift. It is not too early to acquire and put aside something so special and distinctive for that purpose.