Featured Letter Box?

They call 'em Potties on the boards for a reason? I'm a joolie and we're in the same boat.

 

Yeah, I have seen potties go a bit nutsy over pots, of course, they are NOT ALONE on that score.
Getting back to the slide lid box of Frank's which is a very nice example, here is the same form that sold last year at Pook for 134K......... which is slightly nuts.

https://www.pookandpook.com/lot/john-drissel-painted-pine-slide-lid-box-4035474


"John Drissel (Bucks County, Pennsylvania 1762-1846), painted pine slide lid box, inscribed on lid Zum gruck Ann von Red John Drissel his hand 1796, retaining its original decorated surface with flowers and ivory wavy bands on a vibrant salmon ground, 2 3/4" h., 4 3/8" w., 7 5/8" d. Anna Von Red - Anna Roth was born November 17, 1793 as listed in the New Goschenhoppen Register, page 343. Exhibited at a Winterthur study and workshop in 2008. Provenance: Purchased at auction in Lower Milford Township."

 

Interesting pottery connection. As for the box, I think old candle box got promoted to money box at some point and was presented with a lock. Nice trinket, especially given there is a family history interest.

 

That could very well be correct.

 

Dave? Dave's not here ..( and a lot of us suspect what was locked up in that box ! ) ...Sorry, had to say it .... and for those of you who don't know what I am talking about , google "Dave? Daves not here!" ....lol

Those "Dave" jugs are amazing, just the fact they actually survived is amazing.....
would love to find one in someone's cellar !

 

Well, not all wooden boxes are bound to go up in smoke. I think it is more of a case of the abyss staring back.

 

No, I'M DAVE!!!

 

I'm inclined to agree that it's more likely a candle box, later fitted with a lock. Just a WAG on my part but roughly 1790 to 1820?

 

Yes, probably somewhere in that time frame, most likely before the 1830s.
Candles were the primary light source here until the 1830s when whale oil lamps came in. It just makes sense to have storage for them, wood slide lid boxes were the preferred way in the USA.

 

Possible but, it could have started out as a money or deed box from the get-go.
If you notice, the box above at Pook, they do not mention "candle" anywhere in the description or title, it is described as a " painted pine slide lid box". That box is dated 1796 so we know exactly when it was made, we just don't know what function it had.
To say all slide lid boxes were used to store candles is bogus, they were used for other functions as well which is probably why Pook left out the candle thingy.
"candle box" has become a generic term similar to "bible box".

 

Bottom line on all this from where I sit, If your box has an original lock I would say no, not a candle box. If the lock is later than yes, most likely a candle box.
In any event, the lock is a nice feature whether added or not, and adds to the mystery of the piece!

 

Here is an interesting early walnut inlaid William & Mary slide lid box that is up for sale next month from the Bill DuPont collection. Estimate is 5k-8k, suspects that number is low.
I don't think I have ever seen a slide lid with feet, NICE BOX!

"Front inlaid with initials IF and the top inlaid 1741. Containing an old paper note inscribed This box belonged to John Forward-(Quaker) Harford Co. Maryland (near Bellair) - I obtained it from a direct descendant. Jos. Cauffuan. (Initials inlaid and date 1741 on top). (OVER) John Forward built the first brick house in Maryland."
Height 5 5/8 in. by Width 6 in. by Depth 9 1/2 in.

Chester County, Pennsylvania Dated 1741