Antique 1800s Painted Wood Box Rabbits BUNNIES Folk Art PRIMITIVE Spring EASTER

his beautiful hand decorated wooden box is from the local estate of a antique collector. She acquired it from Garth’s Auctions, who offered it at an auction in January 2013 at an estimated value of $400-$600. They dated the box to be from 1850-1890. (See photo) The name painted on the front of the box is F.A. Sullings. He was a importer and dealer in English, German, and American hardware. They sold cutlery, house furnishings, stoves, nails, pumps, mills & agricultural tools. The scene decoupaged on the top is of 2 boys taking rabbits out of a rabbit trap. So perhaps they sold these traps. They were based in Bedford, Massachusetts. I also found a mention of a F.A. Sullings in Concord, NH. The image on the top is a based on a 1839 painting by William Sidney Mount. The rest of the box is hand painted in barn red and soft greens and yellows. The paint is all original. The feet are ivory. On one end are 2 mountain goats and the other end has a mother and kitten. Very sweet details. It would be a wonder gift! The inside is painted black. There is a shallow tray with 7 compartments. I am not sure how the box was to be used. Perhaps to store stationary or documents and writing implements. Similar boxes are described as a document box or a money box. The box has the original lock and key. The four feet are made of ivory per the auction house description. MEASUREMENTS: Length 13 inches Depth/width 8.75 inches Height 5.5 inches