Carved box for sale
with blacksmith-made hinges & a lock
This post is a continuation of the previous one. This box was part of the group of three items I bought back recently.
It’s not a copy of an existing box, but it’s typical in most of its features. Red oak box with white pine for the lid & bottom. The carvings are based on the works associated with Thomas Dennis of Ipswich, Massachusetts. The scrolls on the front appear in dozens of pieces from his shop. This box is nailed at the rabbeted corners - with what we often now call “T-heads” - wrought nails whose heads are flatted to form a narrow, wide head that buries nicely in the oak.
A till inside, oak lid with pine bottom & sides. In this view, you can also see the iron “gimmal” hinges- better known today as snipes/snipebill hinges. These are the most common hinges on carved boxes in the 17th century. I only use them once in a while - I more often make a wooden hinge. These are simple and quick. But setting them just right takes a deft hand.
The hinges and lock are the work of Peter Ross, one of my favorite blacksmiths.
The biggest difference between my box and most period examples is the carved ends -
Most period boxes are blank there although you once in a while see those ends carved. Mine are mostly so - not always, but most often. This time I took another Thomas Dennis motif and adapted it to fit this space.
H: 7 1/8” W: 21 3/4” D: 13 3/4”
linseed oil finish
$2,000
Email me at PeterFollansbee7@gmail.com if you’re interested in purchasing this box (or ordering any of my oak furniture…)
Here’s the full batch of photos
