Early American Painted Box

[jacon4]

C. 1720, New England, pine with paint decoration. Cool box although i think estimate is high. This box sold on the east coast in 2010 for $5500. and it's now for sale on west coast with a min bid of 10k.
https://new.liveauctioneers.com/item/55206317_c-1720-eastern-mass-pilgrim-painted-letter-box

[ghopper1924]

I love it, but 10K?

[jacon4]

yeah, 10k is a stretch i think, predicts this lot will be passed. I'd much rather have the box i lost years ago and still kinda ill about, Ruth's box, it sold for 8k

[ghopper1924]

Yes, I remember Ruth's box. So cool! I'd be sick if I lost it.

[Ipcress]

yeah, 10k is a stretch i think, predicts this lot will be passed. I'd much rather have the box i lost years ago and still kinda ill about, Ruth's box, it sold for 8k

I like this. Has a Tolkien / Celtic look to it, like the one ring could be kept within !

[mart]

I don`t see that much in it but what do I know ??   

[jacon4]

I don`t see that much in it but what do I know ??   

Well, it's 300 years old & american and THAT makes all the difference, value wise. Still, i don't think it's a 10k box, more like 5k i'd say.

[jacon4]

I like this. Has a Tolkien / Celtic look to it, like the one ring could be kept within !

If referring to the circle decoration on box end, the description says "snake" decoration but that is wrong. The are called "squiggles", very popular in american paint decorated furniture in late 17th century. No one knows exactly what the deal is with squiggles or what they represent but they are quite common in painted american furniture from 1690-1720 or so.

[ghopper1924]

Perhaps Ipcress is referring to Ruth's Box?

"One box to rule them all, and in the darkness bind them."

[jacon4]

OHHHHH, OK, little unclear there. Ruth's box is kind of a last hurrah in a way, the way things used to be before this new fangled paint thing came into being. The fact that it has it's owners name and is dated is a big plus, i am STILL ILL over losing it!

[KC]

I am thankful for items like these so I can show my better half that I don't have the most expensive collections!  LOL

Nice pieces of history - when times were much simpler and the little things were so much more personable and valued.

[jacon4]

Yes, quality examples cost money, no doubt about it. Depression, recession, none of that matters much with outstanding examples.

[jacon4]

Painted box that started thread sold for $9500.  a bit more than i thought it would.

[ghopper1924]

Definitely more! Shows you what I know about American 18th century painted boxes.

[mart]

Painted box that started thread sold for $9500.  a bit more than i thought it would.

Your kidding !!  Surprises me !!