AMERICAN ORIGINALS
Early and Unusual
Country Sliding Lid Box
with Drawer 

Likely New England, 18th century, ca. 1720-1790.

Original oxidized dark red-brown paint on mixed woods. Joined with blacksmithed wrought rose heads nails.

The arrangement of a drawer fitted under a sliding lid is highly unusual, its scarcity heightened by a wooden locking system. A hole in the back upper section was designed to receive a peg that would drop into a half-round recess below, effectively locking the drawer from above, yet the absence of wear within the recess suggests this mechanism was likely seldom used. It’s possible the upper section was intended for an iron lock that was never installed, leaving a peg to serve merely as a stop to prevent the drawer from sliding out. (The original peg is lost if it ever had one; a later peg is included.)

Robustly made in fine original condition, with what appears to be its original drawer pull, this diminutive survivor measures only about 8 3/4 inches long, 6 3/8 deep, and 5 1/2 high.

From a New York State collection. A particularly appealing example for those who appreciate early country boxes with untouched paint and rosehead nail construction.