I found this one in southern Maine, purchased from the same dealer as the green and white painted game board listed today. My first thought spotting it was of mid 19th century theorem paintings, and also reverse glass paintings of the same period--really, in what form of folk art did baskets full of blooming flowers not appear???! And yet, I can't recall seeing a carved version so close in manner and spirit to those as this, and I find the carving here just wonderful. And it's a box is in the form of book to boot, with the "spine" actually a good sized drawer that pulls out, making me think this was a writing box.
Photos detail the construction more effectively than I can describe, but the short sides are perfectly fitted, separate pieces of wood that will actually actually slide out of the grooves they fit in (not nailed in, just perfectly fitted.) All but the drawer appears entirely untouched, while the face (spine) of the drawer appears to have been glued to the sides of it as some point, I presume not original. It closes just right against the carved face of the box, but there is a small gap between it and the back of the box when closed--as documented.
10 1/2" x 6 3/4" x 3 1/16", good antique condition, 3rd quarter 19th century I would guess/1880s latest. Some wear to the finish around the carving as visible, and a couple of hairline splits on the reverse side. More condition notes in paragraph above. Photos document it comprehensively. From the back/underside, there is a small gap between the spine/drawer and box when closed--as documented.
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