Antique"Harvard Shaker" Oval Pantry Box with Copper Nails whimsy cup but still beautiful

but still beautiful

I find these owls pretty empathetic creatures--kind of homely

which was often used for black dolls

is just lovely

I've found a few online with the same shape and structure

Antique"Harvard Shaker" Oval Pantry Box with Copper Nails whimsy cup but still beautifulI've learned that 19th c. wooden pantry boxes with two finger laps running in reverse as on this one are typically referred to as Harvard Shaker, though in all likelihood were made in Hingham MA, also known as "bucket town", because of the huge number of firkins and buckets that were made there. I don't often buy pantry boxes, about which I have little expertise, but I found this one especially lovely in size, shape and warm dry patina, with