Antique Maple Wood Snuffbox Hand Drawn Black Birds and Tree Decoration
Description: Antique snuffbox or snuff box made of maple wood and lacquered on the outside. The lid of the box has what looks like a hand drawn black colored scene depicting two black birds on perched on a leaning tree and the other standing on the ground. The piece is otherwise undecorated. The inside shows remnants of lining that used to protect the wood from the snuff stored on the inside. The piece has wooden hinge which is cracked and has been repaired all along with glue, which can be seen when you view it using a x 10 magnifying loop. However, the repair is very well done and the box looks great and is solid and intact. The box is rectangular in shape with low profile and slightly rounded sides and a flat bottom. The lid is slightly rounded and has a small protrusion which acts as a thumb piece. The lid closes well but not tightly. This is a very nice antique box which we believe is from the late 1700s to early 1800s and was probably made in the United Kingdom possibly Scotland. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Uncertain, but most likely late 1700s to early 1800s.
Origin: Uncertain, but most likely continental, probably Scotland United Kingdom.
Size: Measures ~3 1/4" long and ~2" wide on top and is ~3/4" high. The piece itself weighs about one ounce.
Maker: Unknown
Marks: Unmarked
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: An antique and beautiful piece with nice and simple decoration. Please see photos to appreciate the beauty and condition of this piece. This is truly a nice piece and would make a great addition to any collection.
Condition: The box is in good condition with no major problems. The lid closes well but not tightly. The lacquering on the surface of the box shows fine crazing with a few small spots where the lacquering is lost and some of the black coloring of the design is lost and shows white spots resulting from the exposed base coat on the wood. The surface of the exterior shows some losses to the lacquer finish and shows some minor stains. The piece has wooden hinge which is cracked and has been repaired all along with glue (see 6th photo), which can be seen when you view it using a 10X magnifying loop. However, the repair is very well done and the box looks great and is solid and intact. The body of the box has small cracks on the back corners, which can be seen in the photos. The box has lost the original lining on the onside and all that is left are remnants of it which are obvious in the photos. Be that as it may, the box is still all together, solid, intact and looks great despite some minor losses here and there. A nice piece to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
