ANTIQUE FOLK ART HAND CARVED WOODEN COFFIN PUZZLE SNUFF BOX MID 1800's

  
ANTIQUE FOLK ART HAND CARVED WOODEN COFFIN PUZZLE SNUFF BOX MID 1800's. ANTIQUE FOLK ART HAND CARVED WOODEN COFFIN.

SHAPED POCKET SIZE PUZZLE SNUFF BOX MID 1800's. This is an Antique Folk Art 4-piece hand carved wooden Coffin shaped pocket size puzzle snuff box, circa around the mid-1800's.

This box is 3 1/8" long X 1 1/8" wide X 1 tall and appears to be made from select grained Walnut wood, with a finely grained pattern with a pleasing natural dark patina. The inside of the base is hand hewn, and the locking stud is a separate piece dovetailed into the side. The top lower layer half of the puzzle top swings open to the right and unlocks the underneath part of the separate bottom piece of the puzzle top. When this top piece swings open to the right, it allows the underneath piece of the top to be pushed downward to disengage it from the locking peg on the top outer edge of the base. Then, with this underneath top part disengaged with the top stud, it is able to be swiveled to the right and provide access to the snuff.

Both the top and bottom parts of the 2-swivel puzzle tops that pivot are attached to the base by a small early iron screw. NOTE: As expected, the wood directly underneath the tapering part of the bottom pivot screw top has created a slight countersunk from over a century of use that has created a looseness to the top swiveling locking arm.

This wear now allows the top locking portion of the puzzle top to swivel freely as there is no longer any friction to keep the top swivel lock in place and will rotate freely when the box is held on its side. Thus, this piece can no longer be carried as a pocket snuff box. However, this piece displays very well as is, with a deep dark natural aged patina overall; and I have left this in original, as found, untouched condition, as the wear around the screw hole and wood shrinkage are naturally occurring. I would not attempt to tighten the screw as it may break.

It may be possible to remove the bottom pivot screw and ream the screw hole slightly, then glue the screw back into place to tighten the puzzle tops; but this pivot screw may break and have to be replaced with another antique iron screw. I suggest this piece should remain in untouched, as found, original condition. This size of snuff box was intended for daily pocket use but could also have been used after the top loosened as a table snuff box. Overall, in excellent condition for its extreme age, with the noted exception.

This is a small, charming piece of Antique hand carved Folk Art in untouched, original, as found condition with a beautiful, dark, natural patina to both the wood and the iron screws. These desirable coffin shaped puzzle snuff boxes are typically from around the mid-19th century; and are known to come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, materials, and craftsmanship. This would be perfect for any snuff, tobacco, puzzle box collection or display; or use for small keepsakes, as desk accessory and conversation piece. Exceptions include holidays, power outages, and evacuations. Claims such as doesn't match description or photos, doesn't seem authentic, Doesn't fit, Wrong item sent, Missing parts or pieces, Doesn't work or defective, Arrived damaged.

Due to a myriad of International and U. Listing and template services provided by inkFrog. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Tobacciana\Snuff Boxes".

The seller is "1knifeguy1" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.