An excellent marquetry box of walnut and maple construction, Vermont or New York origin, in original condition.
The lift out compartment is hand-cut dovetailed and has five sections. Likely used as a sewing box.
Lifting the lid reveals the original naive oil painting of a figure holding a staff overlooking waterfalls, the train and train tracks and a log cabin. The painting possibly commemorates the opening of the Vermont Railroads.
The Vermont Central Railroad was chartered in 1843 to build a line across the center of Vermont, running from Burlington on Lake Champlain east to a point west of Montpelier and then southeast and south to Windsor, VT on the Connecticut River. The first section from Hartford (just west of White River Junction, VT) to Bethel in the west, opened in 1848, with several other sections opening in 1848-1849. Another section that opened in 1852, the Rutland & Burlington Railroad, ran from Bellows Falls through the town of Rutland then north to Burlington. The Vermont and Canada Railroad was chartered in 1845 as a continuation of the Vermont Central north and west to Rouses Point, New York, splitting at Essex Junction (east of Burlington) and running north via St. Albans and Swanton. In 1849, the Vermont Central leased the Vermont and Canada, and it was completed in 1851.
An excellent painting possibly done by a schoolgirl. There is also a secret compartment behind the painting.
This one-of-a-kind box measures approximately 13" x 9-1/2" x 7-1/4" high. Excellent color and condition.
$2000
