Featured Mystery box made of wood, cannot be opened without destruction

The 12”x12” box by AntiqueAnimals posted Nov 28, 2020 at 1:50 AM

No one currently living remembers the details of the box. It came from my boyfriend’s wealthy collector uncle who sold his home/ ski lodge including the contents. Right before the sale was finalized he asked close family to come pick some things out. There was a story that a famous artist made the nod.
Something is rolling around inside of it and besides the peephole which is a
apparently mirrored, there’s a smal arrow craved into one side.

the box hasn’t been cared for like it should. I’m wondering if this is something of value or it’s going to spend life as a step stool.

has anyone heard of similar things? Any artists I should begin looking into? Artists known to frequent the house are Paul Cadmus and architect Philip Johnson, and Eli Nadelman who has a folk art museum around here that I should connect with. In that circle of artists and influences I wonder if any more mystery boxes survive intact.

The 12”x12” box by AntiqueAnimals posted Nov 28, 2020 at 1:50 AM

The peephole by AntiqueAnimals posted Nov 28, 2020 at 1:50 AM

The Arrow by AntiqueAnimals posted Nov 28, 2020 at 1:50 AM

 

looks like a cell phone camera in the peep hole !!!!
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( ..sorry...couldn't help myself !!! ..)

 

Maybe it's a puzzle box.

 

That seems like a good possibility- would you guess the arrow is the start?

 

OH, WOW, Davey, those look like SO much FUN..............and FRUSTRATION!!!!!!!!

My first thought might be to turn the box upside down, try to get the marble or whatever’s rolling around into the “correct” hole, and maybe something might happen.....just a guess.....but who knows which is the right hole, and maybe I’m all wet!!!!

EDIT AND WHY is that little 3-holed piece inside the box visible in one picture but not in the others??? Is that what’s rolling around inside the box?????

 

This site specializes in puzzle boxes. Perhaps you can contact them to see if they have some advice.
Pandora's Puzzle Boxes

 

Can we see side views, as well as the bottom, please? I see that the pieces of wood along the edges are not mitered at the corners. If it is a puzzle box, the first thing I would try would be to see if any of those slide.

 

How intriguing!

 

Could that be a dice inside?

 

No, it couldn't.

for 2 very good reasons..

1. a single ...is called a Die..
2. ... look below...

 

You guys that is def my cell phone reflected. The peephole hole is mirrored.
There is NO other holes on the box, just the one arrow- the other sides are totally blank- I’m not home but I’ll see what pics I have on the phone- it’s hard to tell bc they all look the same!

 

it's good to see the sides...but I want to see the box...as a whole box...

 

Gee

 

It was a good thought.

 

I just made an innocent guess, and end up with being thought an English lesson that I did not ask for, just felt little strange. That’s all. I guess next time I’ll pay more attention as people may be sensitive to it