SOLD 19th Century Book Shaped Spruce Gum Box with wonderful Inlays and Chip Carving (No Slide) yorkshire and a merman/mermaid of sorts

and a merman/mermaid of sorts etched into the surface just below

the fineness of the craftsmanship and attention to detail on this piece embodies all of the things that would drive me to become one

Each card measures 2 11/16" x 1 7/16"

onto which the one above it snugly stacks

SOLD 19th Century Book Shaped Spruce Gum Box with wonderful Inlays and Chip Carving (No Slide) yorkshire and a merman/mermaid of sortsI'm always happy when I bring home a spruce gum box they've gotten so precious I most often just have to admire them and let them go and of course anything with inlaid heart or star, or both, on it too! (And what a fabulous star here especially.) Kin to sailor's valentines and knotwork baskets, spruce gum boxes (also called gum books as they were primarily shaped like books) were made by loggers far from home to bring home to sweethearts and loved