Typically, when I see these, I know it will either be fitted within for cutlery (flatware and knives) which is the tradition in this upright serpentine-fronted chest. But some have been refitted over the centuries to other uses. My favorite being this: slotted sections for your writing paper, notes, cards and envelopes for correspondence. A writer's chest now. And a gorgeous early one, at that. These date to Georgian era, are English in origin, (c.1820-40) and this one has the typical beautiful old wood, inlays on the inner lid and outer edge, a lock (though no key, and I'm not certain the old lock works without a key to try it - showing photos in case you can tell).
Very good condition for age and type. One screw is missing from one hinge in backside. We won't replace it with a modern screw, leave that decision to our buyer. Hinges working fine. There are very small flaws, perhaps a tiny bit of edging missing along bottom - lots of photos for your review. Less loss than most of these we find or see - even in museum display. There is a slightly rough restoration of an inlay at the front right corner of the lid, and I've shown it in detail for your review. You wouldn't likely pick it out without my great enlargement. As well, there is a slight age line/indentation one can see in the wood of the top of lid, if viewed on an angle that puts light on it. Again, quite typical to see such in these very old ones. A little hazing to the old stain on that lid, too, though it shows far more in our photos under the studio lights - typical of a box that has rested in a spot where sunlight hits it. Two centuries, the loss is light. I see that there was probably a cartouche of some sort above that for the key, on the lid. You see the spot? Nothing there now. Not bothersome, just pointing it out to you for disclosure in full. Beautiful from all angles of view! Very old! Measurements noted on the photos, but it is a large and heavy old thing, 14 1/2" tall over all. Could be used for a cigar chest, I suppose. There are lifts in those slotted compartments, so the bottom of each does not go the full depth of the box. Tried to show that with stationery in the slots.
