Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Early American Folk Art 19th Century Cherry Wood Firkin Sewing Box

About the Item

Early American Folk Art Cherry wood firkin with original varnish finish and a sewing box interior 19th Century The name firkin originated from the Dutch word "viedikkijn" which means "fourth" refering to one quarter of a barrel in size. During the 19th century, firkins were made by barrel makers who steamed the timber staves in order to make them bendable. The staves were secured by wooden bands held in place by either tack or copper nails. The entire method of production was done by hand. Firkins were precision made to be air and water tight and were varnished or painted to complete the process. Today, they add character and charm to Modern and Colonial style interiors. This unusual example was customized, possibly originally, with a sewing box interior. A hinged covered compartment which opens and closes, a pin cushion and a number of wooden spool holders- all of 19th century origin, are on hand when the cover is opened with a generous lower area for textile projects or knitting. Cover, handle and legs are all original. The base is signed with the initials I. S. Wooden straps secured by wooden bands with tacks and a bentwood handle are an indication of early construction. This piece features beautiful workmanship- please see detail photos. It was made by a highly skilled individual, possibly for his wife or sweetheart. A wonderful and unique gift for knitting and sewing enthusiasts and collectors of Folk Art. Height: 23.75 inches Diameter: 14.25 at the widest point, body- 13 inches
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23.75 in (60.33 cm)Diameter: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)
  • Style:
    American Colonial (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Cherry,Wood,Hand-Crafted
  • Place of Origin:
    United States
  • Period:
    19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5828241167092

More From This Seller

View All
Large 19th Century Cottagecore Rustic Hand Decorated Papier Mache Dresser Box
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Rustic Cottagecore theme rooster, robins and wildflowers papier mache and wood moire lined large English dresser box 19th Century The shaped papier mache top depicts an arr...
Category

Antique 19th Century English Rustic Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paper

Large 19th Century Cottagecore Rustic Hand Decorated Papier Mache Dresser Box

Large 19th Century Cottagecore Rustic Hand Decorated Papier Mache Dresser Box

$1,295
Fine Large Late 18th - Early 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Model of a Swan
By Meissen Porcelain
Located in New York, NY
A fine, exceptionally detailed large Meissen model of a swan, modelled by J. J. Kändler, with incised plumage, the feathers of the wings picked out in soft grey and beige, with russe...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century German Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Fine Large Late 18th - Early 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Model of a Swan

Fine Large Late 18th - Early 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Model of a Swan

$9,500
Fine Antique 19th Century Russian Silver Caviar Spoon
Located in New York, NY
Classic Russian silver caviar spoon with an elegant twist handle 19th Century Beautifully made, heavy solid construction, with a generous c...
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Fine Antique 19th Century Russian Silver Caviar Spoon

Fine Antique 19th Century Russian Silver Caviar Spoon

$395
Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style Giltwood Oval Girandole Mirrors
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of 19th century Continental Neoclassical style giltwood oval girandole mirrors Each with an acanthus leaf border, the crest centered by an oval medallion topped with a V...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Neoclassical Girandoles

Materials

Gesso, Wood

Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style Giltwood Oval Girandole Mirrors

Pair 19th Century Neoclassical Style Giltwood Oval Girandole Mirrors

$4,500
19th Century Paris Porcelain Reticulated Gold, Pink Neoclassical Centerpiece
By Porcelaine de Paris
Located in New York, NY
A high degree of skill was required to produce reticulated porcelain in 19th century, with each piece painstakingly handcrafted to form a delightful pattern reminiscent of a garden t...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Neoclassical Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

19th Century Paris Porcelain Reticulated Gold, Pink Neoclassical Centerpiece

19th Century Paris Porcelain Reticulated Gold, Pink Neoclassical Centerpiece

$750
Gothic Revival Cottagecore Parcel Gilt Walnut Wall Mirror, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Cottagecore aesthetic antique 19th century parcel gilt walnut Gothic Revival wall mirror Circa 1870 The intricate Gothic Revival details of this wall mirror epitomize the Cottagecore...
Category

Antique 19th Century European Gothic Revival Wall Mirrors

Materials

Wood

Gothic Revival Cottagecore Parcel Gilt Walnut Wall Mirror, 19th Century

Gothic Revival Cottagecore Parcel Gilt Walnut Wall Mirror, 19th Century

$1,100

You May Also Like

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figure of a swimmer
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figure of a swimmer A very unusual early 20th Century American folk-art figure of a lady in a bikini. Carved from a single piece of wood showi...
Category

Vintage 1920s Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figure of a swimmer

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figure of a swimmer

$1,658
Antique Wooden Sewing Box Tramp Art Folk Art Unique Piece 1928
Located in Poperinge, BE
Antique sewing box, wooden tramp art box with green fabric parts and a pincushion at the top, unique handmade object, at the bottom a metal plate ...
Category

Vintage 1920s French Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Antique Wooden Sewing Box Tramp Art Folk Art Unique Piece 1928

Antique Wooden Sewing Box Tramp Art Folk Art Unique Piece 1928

$500
19th Century Folk Art self defense walking cane
Located in Bilzen, BE
Collectible folk art monoxyl cane in carved thorny wood. Large head as a handle, 6 x 7 cm Diameter, used as self defense stick The pommel represents a MAN with a beard Beautiful pati...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Folk Art self defense walking cane

19th Century Folk Art self defense walking cane

$1,117
19th Century Austrian Folk Art Hand Crafted Birds
Located in London, GB
19th Century Austrian Folk Art Hand Crafted Birds A delightful collection of 4 hand-crafted folk-art birds perched on 2 pieces of natural fungus. T...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Austrian Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Austrian Folk Art Hand Crafted Birds

19th Century Austrian Folk Art Hand Crafted Birds

$1,658
19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
A handmade late 19th century Folk Art carved wooden love bird, with original paint still visible across sections of this item. The bird would like have been placed with the confines ...
Category

Antique 1880s Spanish Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure

19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure

$1,859
19th Century Folk-Art Hand-Crafted Bedpost Doll Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century folk-art hand-crafted bedpost doll figure A rare and highly artistic example of an English 19th century folk art bedpost doll figure. With hand carved detail including ...
Category

Antique 1880s British Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Folk-Art Hand-Crafted Bedpost Doll Figure

19th Century Folk-Art Hand-Crafted Bedpost Doll Figure

$2,066

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Pin Cushion
Original American Colonial Furniture
Antique Wood Barrel
Antique Colonial Signs
Covered Barrel
Antique Pin Cushion
Antique Pin Cushions
Water Barrel
Antique Spools
Antique Sewing Base
Initial Pins
Copper Barrel
Antique Wooden Barrels
Spool Leg
Antique Knitting
Wooden Spool
Antique Wooden Spools
Antique Firkin
View All Popular Outsider and Self Taught Art Searches