An old original one, dating latest 1700s to early 1800s, this is a salt box. French carved, heart, vase bouquet, French Empire urn, and more flowers there on the drawer. We've had some lovely old ones like this, and some later renditions, as well. Look for others and choose your favorite, but this is the oldest one we've had in years. As you know, food preservation, meat and fish, fowl, depended upon salting the meat to preserve it. No refrigeration. Salt was extremely important to cure enough meat and fish to last the winter. Other spices were stored in the drawer, usually, and the box or cabinet would be wall-mounted or rest atop a cabinet or stone or wood work table.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. There are definite signs of age on this one, to include a couple of surface scratches, but no broken pieces, nothing missing. Very Country French. The satiny original finish remains in fine form, lighter to the lift-top lid front from the touch of many hands in use. That heart just is icing on the cake, and so charming. Full measurements are noted on our photos. Just recently in from France, no wood worms!
