19th Century Finger Lapped Oval Pantry Box with Remnants of Original Paint, Rich Patina tool box The linen backing and needlework

The linen backing and needlework itself has held up extremely well and appears almost completely intact

M Shuler or similar

To dispense matches

both among my very favorites I've had

maybe that I AM her

19th Century Finger Lapped Oval Pantry Box with Remnants of Original Paint, Rich Patina tool box The linen backing and needleworkI am not a connoisseur of antique pantry boxes, though there are many I find very beautiful (and indeed most often the ones fetching many hundreds of dollars.) Occasionally one strikes me as meant for me, though, as this one did, found in New Hampshire last week. Perfect size, perfect oval shape, gracefully tapering opposing finger laps, one on the lid and one on the body, squared off at the points. Most of all I love the patina, with just remnants of