1887-1888 Merry Christmas/Happy New Year Gift Box

Measures:  8.75” long, 4.75” wide, 1.5” deep

From my personal collection, this beautiful gift box appears to be hand crafted for someone special in the year 1887, 137 years ago!  Though there were “pyrography kits” available to make similar items around this time, this looks far more intricate than what those kits offered. The front of the box features a very sweet little girl dressed for winter and on the back is little boy in very jaunty cold weather garb. Cleverly, the box can be used as both a Christmas decoration and a New Year decoration!  The original hinges are in place as is the latch.  However, the latch doesn’t close anymore.  Inside is a pattern which was left blank.  Maybe for the recipient to complete? The wood has a wonderfully aged patina, and the colors are absolutely perfect for the era.