Sailor-made Inlaid Mahogany Veneer Box

Description:

Sailor-made Inlaid Mahogany Veneer Box, "R. N. Jenka Philadelphia, April 3rd, 1868," rectangular box with hinged lid, the top ornamented with an inlaid anchor, double six-point stars and four shields, the front of the lid with a small silver plaque inscribed with the name of a ship Florence, the front of the box centered with a flag surrounded by quatrefoils and arrows, and inlaid nickel shield-shaped escutcheon, the sides and back with assorted floral and geometric devices, supported on carved scroll feet, the interior lid inscribed with probable maker's name and date, ht. 7 1/4, wd. 10, dp. 6 in.

Note: The ship Florence was built in 1856 in East Boston.
Estimate $1,000-1,500

Minor shrinkage cracks, and small spots of inlay loss; the interior has small ledges in the corners to hold a lift-out tray, now gone.

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