Presumed 18th Century Heavy Book Shaped Writing Box with Original Red Paint Remnants, Likely British antique padlock looking simultaneously relaxed and a

looking simultaneously relaxed and a bit possessed

or stick a flower in it and put it at the center of a festive dinner party table--perfect right next to a good bottle of Chianti

Sold as a set of 12 (6 pairs)

which looks more soft black from above and more reddish (varnished) from the sides

it feels very small batch to me

Presumed 18th Century Heavy Book Shaped Writing Box with Original Red Paint Remnants, Likely British antique padlock looking simultaneously relaxed and aI've had a couple of 19th century book shaped tole painted boxes holding ink wells with room for pens and letters inside; this I believe is an earlier and finer precursor to those, 18th century British I think. I purchased it at one of the shows in Nashville from a dealer who had purchased it at auction, described that way, and it is most definitely old, crafted, it appears to me, of thick, heavy brass (it is quite heavy and substantial for its size.)