6.5" Oval Pantry Box in Original Green and Gold Paint

Circa 1850-1880: Pantry boxes with labeled contents are always desirable in advanced collecting circles, especially when the ingredient is fairly uncommon, and this handsome 6 1/2" long, 4 7/8" wide, and 2 5/8" tall original polychromatic paint decorated oval pantry box is stenciled "Cloves" on the base and has decorative stencils on its lid. The box also features long, graceful finger joints with early square nail and wooden peg construction. This box was found in Maine and, due to its stencil and paint scheme, was also most probably made there. Condition is excellent with with a couple minor short cracks on the lid's band and other wear commensurate with age.