Folk Painted Wooden Box | American Antique

Description

A folk painted wooden box in red with hand painted folk flowers. A charming and characterful piece of American rural craft.

Dimensions

Why it’s here

Everything in the Homestedt Antiques collection was sourced from rural barns, markets, and dealers across the North East of the United States, England, and Sweden, the same regions that have inspired much of what Homestedt does. These are objects that have already lived a life. They were made by hand, used daily, and have arrived here still doing what they were always meant to do. We collect these pieces because they show the kind of character that comes from decades of use, the evidence of the maker’s hand, and a beauty that adds texture, history and warmth to a home.

What you’re seeing in this collection is just a small selection of our antiques. For the full range of our latest pieces, we recommend a visit to our North Branch, NY location where you’ll find an ever changing collection of pieces that have caught our eye.

About this piece

Painted wooden boxes were a staple of rural American domestic life, used for storing everything from letters to sewing supplies to small treasures. The folk flower decoration on this one, painted in the confident, unselfconscious tradition of American folk art, gives it a warmth and personality that sets it apart from more utilitarian examples. The red ground is vivid and well-preserved, and the painted flowers show the hand of someone who enjoyed making it.

Condition

Good antique condition. Hand painted decoration clear and well-preserved. Shows natural age consistent with use.

Care & display

Wipe clean with a dry or barely damp cloth. Keep away from prolonged moisture and direct sunlight. Apply a small amount of beeswax or furniture oil occasionally to keep the wood nourished.