Have you seen a box like this? What was it used for?

unusual box?

I think so as I have not found this construction in boxes I’ve examined or manufactured (I ran a large old lock corner machine for years on a swing shift job in high school and college, making box sides as long 24” and as I remember it, the machine was capable of more)


This unusual box is
Lock cornered on one corner only
Nails on the other corners could be original as they are well spaced

It would seem a larger box was lock cornered, glued and pressed together, belt sanded, and then cut into four pieces, each finished with dimensioned flat stock.

3” high
4.75” wide
2.25” deep

Wood is 5/16ths except bottom and the side which accepts the slide-in top are 4/16”

the inside dimensions
2.5” inside height up to the slider groove
4 and 3/16 inside width
1 and 5/8” inside
deep

Slider to close top fits well

Very vague in my mind’s eye evidence of having had some kind of lettering or design on one side.

Your thoughts welcomed

Mo

 

It's a candle box.

 

Just a box. Used for all manner of stuff before corrugated came to rule.

 

The style can be dated to at least the 18th century.

 

AHHHHH, but the nicely finished antique ones are really nice!!!!! Yours looks like it might have seen the rougher side of some kind of a work shop It's seen better days.....suppose you could spend time sanding and staining and whatnot making it look better......Mine's just a little 5 1/2" ditty box I keep potpourri in!! It smells wonderful!!! It also has some good age to it......

 

mine held chess pieces....

 

Reminds me of boxes that held chalk in elementary school.

 

That reminds me I have a tiny ivory (I think) one with some Chinese (I think) game pieces inside......I should dig it out........

 

I have one exactly like it that my uncle kept small tools in

 

Thanks For so many posts and examples BUT before we end this conversation can you each confirm your box is lock cornered on only one edge?

Thanks, in advance,

Mo

 

Here's mine. It has a little gouge where you use your finger to slide it open. As you can see, I'm using it for pocket knives.

 

It might have been cut down, to become shorter.....

 

That would be the best explanation I can think of, for the lack of dovetails/interlock on only one corner.