Bidspirit auction | Antique American Primitive Two-Division Wooden

Antique American Primitive Two-Division Wooden Cutlery Tray - An antique American primitive two-division wooden cutlery tray, also known as a cutlery box. The piece is constructed from wood featuring sloped sides and a central vertical divider. A turned wooden handle is integrated into the central divider, supported by two vertical uprights. The construction utilizes hand-cut box-jointed corners, also known as finger joints, with a flat base secured by period nails. The exterior and interior exhibit a dark, aged patina, with remnants of a reddish-brown stain or paint visible on the underside and lower exterior. Small incised characters are present on one of the vertical handle supports, though they remain illegible. The tray is in a condition consistent with age and utilitarian use. It shows significant surface wear, including scratches, staining, and scuffing throughout. There is visible separation at the box-jointed corners, with minor wood loss and rounding at the joint edges. The base exhibits some separation from the side panels.