Antique Firkin Covered Bucket Hand Painted Primitive Bentwood Shaker Penn Dutch

This Antique Folk Art Hand Painted Wood Firkin or Sugar Bucket is a rare one: large with its original lid and old paint largely intact! The covered bucket is composed of 1/2” wood planks (probably pine) with finger staved and tacked bands at the base and on the lid. It is further secured by two aged iron rings (ee photo 7). The swing handle is bent wood secured with wooden pegs. Solid wood base. The exterior was painted in deep blue. Though well worn, some of the original decoration remains, particularly on the lid. Reminiscent of Pennsylvania German or Dutch folk art, you can see white hearts and flowers as well as two birds, vines and other flourishes in yellow. Photo 8 shows how the blue color appears in different lighting. Amazing decorative piece that is also a useful and versatile storage container! SIZE: It measures ~11” tall (16” to top of upright handle) with a diameter of about 10 1/2” at the top (10 3/4” at the base). The opening measures 8 5/8”. AGE: Unknown, but the stave construction, U-shaped swing handle, wooden pegs, wood bands and lid, and the weathered paint are typical of sugar buckets made in the mid 1800s. It is certainly no newer than 1900-1920. CONDITION: Condition consistent with a 100+-year-old piece that has been well utilized. It has a patina and wear that shows significant age and use, including: dings, chips, scratches, and paint loss, but no missing or damaged parts. Construction remains very solid. Offers welcome but NO LOWBALLS.