Wall box for pipes, 19th century, walnut. A swagged pierced crest rail is above a sloped lid with a thumbnail molded edge. This sits on a trapezoidal form case with book matched walnut veneers on the face. In a tavern or home in the period, these wall mounted pipe boxes would have held clay pipes with very long stems. One used the pipe from the box, and then, upon leaving, simply broke off the used stem and put the pipe end back in the box for future use by others.

H. 16″, W. 8.25″, D. 5.25″. $225.