This early American wall box is a strong and honest example of country furniture, selected for its pleasing form, early construction, and exceptional painted surface. The box retains a dry, softly weathered white paint over an earlier blue-green ground, creating a layered surface with depth and subtle tonal variation that only time can produce.
The piece is square-nailed throughout and constructed with straightforward utility, characteristics typical of early 19th-century domestic wares. The shaped backboard adds visual interest while remaining restrained, and the overall proportions give the box a quiet decorative presence without sacrificing its utilitarian roots. Wear throughout is consistent with age and use, contributing to the integrity and authenticity of the surface.
Wall boxes of this type were commonly used for holding small household items or tools, yet examples that retain their original paint in this condition are increasingly scarce. This is a fine and appealing survival of American country paint, chosen for its balance, surface, and unmistakable sense of age.
Dimensions: 14 inches wide × 6 inches deep × 7 1/4 inches high (at back)
Provenance: Illinois trade