Carved and Painted
Lollipop Spillholder   

Northeast, probably New England, ca. 1800-1840.

Early red paint on what appears to be maple. The wedge-shaped well, with carved “lamb’s tongue” inner walls, is joined by cut nails to a lollipop-topped hand-planed backboard. The backboard shows deep abrasions, likely the result of frequent scraping with early friction matches, perhaps used to light spills. Spills were typically tightly wound plant material, paper, or even textile scraps used to transfer flame, as in lighting a candle or the hearth.

Small losses where joined by cut nails at the very bottom of each sidewall to the front. Given that the losses present visually similarly, like notches, from the front they appear intentional to the design.

Made to hang. About 12 inches tall x 6 5/8 wide x 4 deep at the top of the well. .