Large Fingered Box
in Salmon/Red Paint  

Early to mid-19th century.

Oval. Appears to be ash sidewall with basswood or poplar top and bottom. Robustly crafted retaining an especially attractive old, very dry (never over-varnished) deep salmon-red paint. Joinery by wooden pegs and cut-nail tacks. Hand-cut beveled fingering.

Lightly and gently handled, the interior without food stains, so likely used for storing only occasionally-accessed textiles.  There is a small piece of fabric on the inside edge that supports a textile usage.

Excellent condition without cracks, and ever so slight losses to the underside edge of the lid, perhaps in the making. The top sinks a bit into the lid-sidewall on one end due to a failed wooden peg. About 13 1/8 inches long x 10 ¼ deep x 5 1/8 tall.