An Early 20th Century Carpenter's Box: Lovely Patina

early twentieth century
7 1/2" x 22 1/2" x 9", 19 cm x 57 cm x 23 cm

This simple, rectangular-shaped wooden box is said to have belonged to a carpenter or wood worker and it dates to the early part of the twentieth century.

The lightweight wood has been finished in a dark color and the wood itself has been burnished over time, from years of use, and its surface has the feel of something well-used and that has been knocked around a bit.  The surface patina is silken and the irregularities--the nicks and dents--in the wood add tremendous character and help our imaginations invent stories of where this box may have been.

The tray-like lid is fully detachable and bears writing.

A lovely storage box, a wonderful base for an object, this beautiful thing from old Japan, if it could speak, would inform us of many interesting events.

A gorgeous object.