type of wood used for this box?

[Overloaded]

Can't figure out what wood was used for this box to help along with my research as well.


Flowers to me means it could have been a jewelry box instead of a game set box am I right?

[greenacres]

Is the inside the natural wood or is it decorated on the inside?

[waywardangler]

The old pyrography boxes were very popular.  I have a few.  I think the wood was ash or poplar.  It is not pine.  Time frame is 1900s to 1930s for most of the boxes.  Some of them have patent dates on the hinges.  Many examples are available online.  This is an extensive site if you do some reading and search the links http://pyromuse.org/sking4.html

[cogar]

Could it be Basswood, or Linden as some people call it?

[KC]

Possibly even olive?

But looks alot more like ash to me such as this one
http://www.tias.com/8731/PictPage/1922712832.html



Talesof....temporar y HIJACK here....thought of you when I saw this small lap desk made in the style of a sea captains...but for a lady!
http://www.rubylane.com/item/280675-AntBTD-357/25-19th-Century-Tambour-Roll

[Oceans64]

To add to the confusion...  I was thinking Briarwood.  I have a jewelry box made of this and has similar spotting altho there are some knotted parts as well.  I can post a pic if you like but the center of this box is a good example.  I believe this wood is from Italy so you would have to think you box is from the same (I would guess).

http://www.theworld-export.com/pic.asp?url=uppic/1546/157111/mens-valet-box-765.jpg

[waywardangler]

It is not briarwood.  There were hundreds/thousands of these made and the wood had to be plentiful, cheap, and easy to burn with a hot tip.  When I have more time I will take a couple of mine, a loupe, and my wood book and see what it is.  Top guesses are ash, poplar, basswood, and gumwood.

Wikipedia says..."Light-coloured hardwoods such as sycamore, basswood, beech and birch are most commonly used, as their fine grain is not obtrusive, and they produce the most pleasing contrast. However, other woods, such as pine or oak, are also used when required."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrography

[waywardangler]

The "hose" box I have is ash.

[cogar]

Is the inside the natural wood or is it decorated on the inside?

It looks to me like it is decorated on the "inside" because, looking at the side pieces of the bottom of the box, the "edges" or "ends" of the boards are decorated the same as the "surfaces" of the boards, which would be unusual for natural wood. 

If the "dark spots" were natural then I would think that one could see the one's on the edges or corners of the boards having a "matching one" on both surfaces ....... and I don't see that in the photo.

[KC]

I agree with that observation as well cogar....however, I have seen wood like this before....and doggone it I cannot remember for the life of me what the wood was!

[greenacres]

My husband said it could be a "Spanish Cedar" . He said he's not sure, but that that type wood would last forever.

[cogar]

KC, are you thinking of Bird's Eye Maple per chance?

[waywardangler]

Spanish cedar is not a cedar nor is it from Spain.  It is commonly used in cigar boxes and humidors and also in veneer.  A member of the mahoghany family.

[Overloaded]

Thanks guys for all of your input-  newbie me didn't take pictures of the bottom and lo and behold its not marked like inside of this box... its plain!

 

[cogar]

Does the bottom show the natural color or any graining in the wood. If so, post a picture of it.