Featured Box made in 1868. Looking for some info on it

Hi there! This is my first posting. I inherited this box from my grandparents after they passed away. On the inside of the box is a list of all the woods used, along with the date it was made (1868).

On the bottom there's a branding which says "I.c. Butterfield". Any info would be great thanks!

 

That is very cool -- I'll guess that somebody collected those woods over a period of 21 years (Note that there is a date range from Dec. 26, 1868 - 1889.) I think it's more likely that the box was finished in 1889.

Just speculation again, but if the person collected all of those woods and was a wood worker, he or she could have crafted the box over a period of years. Or, collected the pieces of wood over a period of years. And the box was made of many types of wood, obviously.

Looks like the head on the front might have had antlers, horns, or maybe just ears at one time. They were either made of a different type of material, or of wood... but they fell off at some point.

I love this thing! One of the most interesting items I've seen here lately.

 

Oh, and I.C. Butterfield was likely to be the person who made it.

Welcome to Antiquers!

 

Agree with all the above. Think this is folk art in its true form. Too bad the ears/antlers are missing.

 

Hola, welcome, and... yeah - coolio box!!

 

How unusual.

 

Ya the antlers
Unfortunately we're broken off at one point. It's something I always loved when I went to my grandparents house and I was really fortunate when my mom gave it to me after they passed.


Just out of curiosity, any idea how much something like this would be worth? I've never seen anything like it so I have no idea.

 

It is an example of what is often called in Britain, 'shed work', one off pieces made by individuals for their own amusement.

I don't think we have any actual 'folk art' that anyone would admit to.

 

Whatever someone is willing to pay for it !

 

I adore you, AF. You're so BRITISH... or at least my corny stereotype. I picture you (as you type that) in a smoking jacket, drinking... oh I don't know... really old stinky Scotch. Where else would I ever have "met" you but here? No, of course there is no folk art there. Gimme a hug!

 

A Hug? I don't think we have been introduced.

 

Here are some that sold on Liveauctioneers and while not exactly like your lovely box, at least they might give you an idea of range of value.

Sold for $225
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/11353698_folk-art-carved-box-a-presentation-piece-birthda



Sold for $600
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/45958004_carved-walnut-folk-art-box


Sold for $700
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/42692800_hand-carved-folk-art-wooden-coin-box-table


Sold for $450
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/31964894_american-carved-and-paint-decorated-folk-art-work-box


Sold for $200
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/26611964_pennsylvania-tramp-art-sewing-box-with-contents

 

I was going to say somewhere between 150-300+
Its a beautiful beautiful box!

 

That is a beautiful box.

 

If you want the British stereotype picture us drinking the ever present cup of tea......Or maybe thats just me

 

Absolutely! Tea, too!

Pip pip! Cheerio!

See, Ivy? I speak British!

 

Here's lookin' at ya, G2.

 

Considering the quality of workmanship your box shows, I would put this at the high or even higher side of the examples SIS showed.

Exquisite box.
Any one in your family named Butterfield?

 

What state were your grandparents in?

 

Illinois. How on earth did you find that??