Two Good Small
Opposing-Finger
Painted Boxes 

Likely Hingham, Massachusetts, ca. 1820-1850, both oval boxes in maple and pine, with dry original paint.

The slightly larger box in a cheerful blue, the smaller in mustard yellow. Joinery at the fingers by little cut nails, the bases attached with tiny wooden pegs. Both in structurally excellent clean condition, the blue box with more wear. A tiny ink inscription under the lid of the mustard box appears to read “Martha Dean”.

The blue box about 4 5/8 inches long x 3 ½ wide x 1 ¾ tall; the mustard 4 ½ x 3 3/8 x 1 ¾. From a private Northeast collection.

The colors complement each other beautifully.