Very Fine Early 19th Century American Walnut Salt and Spice Wall Box

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Please read terms of sale. This is an excellent example of a salt and spice wall box. Major wood is walnut with secondary most likely poplar. Really nice hand made dovetailing on both box and drawer - examine photos to see the workmanship of this box because it is really top notch American quality. The top of the main compartment, where I believe salt was kept, is nicely fitted to swing easily open. The under drawer has four compartments to hold other spices. The back is one solid piece of wood. The box measures: 10 3/4" from the top of the back 8 3/4" wide 7" deep As for flaws there are only minor problems. The bottom of the box has some worm holes and wear to the bottom, which I have shown in photographs. It has a ding on the top, and some natural wear around the knob of the drawer. These do not bother me - in fact I think it adds to the box's natural patina and warmth. They are certainly consistent with its age. When I acquired this box from the estate of an antique dealer who specialized in flow blue, the executor of the estate told me it was called "the hall box" as it was kept in the entryway of the house on a harvest table where it held keys and odds and end. I believe, and the executor agreed, that this accounts for the blue lining in all of the drawers. These fabric liners would never have been used as a base to hold spices so we believe that the box was repurposed in later years when it was no longer necessary in the kitchen. As you can see in the photographs, the liners were carefully marked as to their position. I believe they can all be removed and the box easily returned to its original use as a spice box - they have not damaged the box as far as I can see. And the liners themselves look to be many, many decades old and if you want to use this as a "hall box" it's all ready to go. The box came from a 1750s farmhouse on the old Goshen Turnpike in Middletown NY where the antique dealer lived. It is a really lovely example. Terms and Conditions of Sale :Be sure to email any and all questions and requests before bidding. Ilist items under categories and with titles and descriptions based on my ownresearch as well as information I received when I acquired the item. Mymain sources for objects and furnishings are auctions and estate sales inPennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the New England states. If you know that my information is incorrect,and can demonstrate it, please let me know so I canmake immediate corrections. I do not knowingly list items incorrectly orinaccurately. I carefully and thoroughly examine every item,research it, ask questions at the time of sale, describe it accordingly and addpictures to show it best. Please look at photos carefully as they tellthe story and provide information that words often can’t. I sell items as is,so please look carefully, I try to take pictures from every angle. If you see aflaw in a photo that I have not described PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I do notunintentionally describe items incorrectly. If I miss something thatothers see I am so grateful to know about it. Remember as a buyer it is yourresponsibility to look carefully, read carefully, and ask questions BEFOREBIDDING AND BUYING. I have made many good friends on eBay from people askingquestions and discussing items. I WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNICATION!! Please note: I also document my packing. Itake pictures of the materials I use and the way the item is packed.Unfortunately, there is a scam on eBay where a buyer will buy an item theyalready own, which is broken. They get a new item and then claim it was “broken”and send pictures of their broken item. To deter this fraud, I keep allphotographs of my item and the packing process. I re-use packing materials when I can, and Ido my best to pack items well so they arrive at their destination safely. I will deliver "door to door" toNew York City and most of the tri-state area, and Philadelphia once per week. I can also deliver once a month to the Amherst, Massachusettsarea, including Hadley, Northamp... read more

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