Early (1817-18!) New England Polka Dotted Wallpaper Band Box with Newspaper Lining and Hand-stitched Mending Renate Scheer Kalkofe then framed by bone fangs

then framed by bone fangs on either side--making for quite a dramatic portrayal of a creature on the prowl

but still has original hardware

though I am not entirely certain of its maker

but it is heavy for its size and of a nice scale

which makes it easy to take a seat

Early (1817-18!) New England Polka Dotted Wallpaper Band Box with Newspaper Lining and Hand-stitched Mending Renate Scheer Kalkofe then framed by bone fangsI often covet 19th c. wallpaper covered "band" boxes, but rarely am willing to pay the price for them. But this one, found at a lovely old school single owner antique shop in MA that deals in early American antiques, just completely won me for the minimalism of its navy on cream hand printed (hand painted?) polka dots; its very early 1817 18! newspaper lining; and the hand stitched thread mending all around the rim. Like the tiny hand beaded