French Country, a bit folksy, crafty, and so fun! This is a large mail/newspaper caddy, entirely had crafted, carved. Over 16" high and 15" at widest, it tapes slightly from a depth of 4", and would have been hung to hold mail, newspapers, and such. I will admit, these were also made to hold slippers or brushes, but in our modern world, being a desk side or kitchen caddy seems to make the most sense. Although, wouldn't it be fabulous hung in a bedroom and filled with Victorian needlepoint slippers - you know the ones. Photos tell all. Beautiful old wood! Found in Paris.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it survives with only the loss of one very small carved flower, left of the wing-like leaves at center. Do you see it? Tried to show it from all angles so you could see how it is made and just what you can hold in it. A Country French or Victorian home must-have. I suppose it could also have been a smoker's wall pocket, pipes and etc., or a lady's sewing caddy, hanging beside her chair.