Have no idea what this box-on-legs is!

I'm new to this forum and would like to first say hi. I'm posting because a neighbor gave me a piece of furniture (if I use that term loosely) and we have no idea what it is (she inherited it from her mother). It is a rectangular wooden (oak?) box on short legs (with no bottom), with a foot pedal and a removable heavy metal insert. Dimensions of the box are approximately 9" high, 12" wide, and 9" deep. The insert is rectangular but angled, about 6" deep. There are no markings whatsoever. Our amateurish guesses have ranged from a child's commode (but it is not round, and there is no seat) to a cigar-butt depository. Would anyone on this forum be able to identify what it is? It's driving us nuts. Thank you!

 

Does the pedal actually do anything? Raise the lid? My first thought is a dough prover.

 

So, I'm assuming if you step/or press on the pedal, it raises the lining up to be raised out???? OH, sorry, and WELCOME, @PRB to ANTIQUERS!!! Looks like right off the bat, you've got a good "stumper"!!! Need to edit my original post.....just re-read the size....nope, not going to work for an ice bucket!! And now can't imagine a reason for the pedal! BUT, I love it!! I'd have taken it too and figured it out later!

 

With that enameled insert and pedal,Im wondering if its for disposing of medical waste or the like ?

 

joining the amateurish guesses, diaper disposal bin?

 

It is oak I think. At 6 inches inches deep, It could be for bread as the enamel insert is loaf shaped.

 

Are you in the U.S.? That might help a bit....
Calling @James Conrad

 

Yes, I'm sorry I didn't mention that the foot pedal raises the lid!

 

No, the lid raises but the lining does not come out when the foot pedal is depressed.

 

Yes, I'm in San Francisco.

 

The person 'I tagged' in my upper post is good with American antiques, so maybe he'll come closer to it's origin.....maybe it IS for proofing dough!!!

 

LOL, sorry, NOT A CLUE here. I'll guess bread thingy as well, looks too small for waste.

lol, EARLY American FURNITURE would be more accurate. This isn't early or furniture but probably is american.

 

OOOOOH.....SO solly!!! (I consider "EARLY" a relative term...!)

 

Had to look this up. Google corrects me that it is a dough proofer & tells me that they are heated, but this still looks to me like a place you could put dough while letting it rise. Foot pedal operated lid suggests you use it when you don't have a hand free.

 

I've seen similar here, but never with a foot pedal. Neat idea that.

 

Well, you consider WRONG!

And there we have it

 

Why would you put your dough on the floor to rise?
Wouldn't you want it on a table so you could check it?

 

THANKS, @Bronwen!!

 

LOL, I WOULD! if I was into this sort of thing which I am not! I'll guess this is a counter type object & the pedal is for your hand? elbow? chin? not foot. Who wants their bread-dough on the floor?

Early American furniture = 1607 (Jamestown) - 1776 (revolution) but certainly no later than 1800.