Petite Paint Decorated
Keepsake Box

Northeast ca. 1820-1840, original dry paint on pine.
Well made little box with dovetail joinery, with paint of a red ground and imaginative free-hand black on all sides. Retains original wire hinges (held with cut nails), iron clasp, and dust liner.
An interesting subtle observation is that the box was fully formed before the lid was sawn, as evidenced by three dovetails that are bisected, sawn after making the basic box shape. This is done in the same, very unusual manner, as the celebrated Compass Artist boxes from Lancaster, PA. Are they related? Excellent condition with just minor imperfections.

Small size of about 8 5/8 inches wide x 5 ½ deep x 5 3/8 tall.