Beautiful Large Antique Oak Salt Box with that Wonderful Pierced Heart

THE STORY - Firstly I do want to stress this Salt Box is large, in fact I think it could house a decade's worth of salt for me and I like salt! This Salt Box though was made for a very different time and I think from its large size (approx 22.5cm in width, 16cm in depth and 34cm in height) that would most likely be the early years of the 1800s. And I really fell in love with this box, there was something I found so very beautiful in its simplicity and its utility, for this Box would have been a vital part of the life of the kitchen. The box is made from Oak which is now a beautiful rich honey colour. the box itself is rectangular in shape and it has a sloping lid which is hinged with a thick strip of leather held in place by 8 large brass tacks. And it has that wonderful shaped Pediment Pierced in the centre with that large heart for hanging on the wall. And although it is of course impossible to know I imagine this would have been a piece made by the hands of someone who resided in the house from where it originally hung. For Salt Boxes during this period were most often hung next to the fire, to keep the salt dry and of course to use for cooking and preserving but apparently it was also used to put out any wanted fires too, hence the need for so much salt.

AGE - Circa 1820

CONDITION - The Salt Box is in Good Condition, it does of course carry a few scars from its many years with a few light scuffs to the wood. I have noticed that the lid does not sit squarely it is slightly longer on one side, and I can't help but think there was a reason for this which I cannot work out or maybe it was just a mistake, there are a couple of little holes on the rim of the box which could be old woodworm, but I think there are only three. On the back of the Pediment there are some light scratches, no doubt from the many nails it has been hung from it its lifetime. The leather hinge has split on the longer side of about 3" / 7.5cm, although it still holds the lid quite firmly it would not appreciate being tugged hard. Also because of its size I am afraid it is not possible to include free shipping in the price.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Height 13&1/2" / 34cm, Width 9" / 22.5cm, Depth 6&1/4" / 16cm.

I am guessing this Salt Box will never be used again to carry the Salt of its title, but I think that is just fine it is certainly a beautiful and useful box to store admirably small tools of the kitchen or indeed any room it will be hung from. I only ask that when that lid is opened it isn't pulled and maybe it isn't opened a hundred times a day. A humble item maybe, but a item of both great beauty and resonance it certainly is.