One of a number of hearts this week; I think even more than ever I am looking for tokens of love these days, to surround oneself with as buffers against so much harshness. And what a beauty of antique hand-carved heart-shaped box, radiating a whole lot of love and care (and time!) invested in its making. I've really never seen another this scale and with so detailed; more often one sees smaller, simpler versions (I have a second listed today that somewhat more typical--though it is only very occasionally I come across one at all.) And the manner of the carving on this one particularly makes me think most of a fine spruce gum box. I know that it just came out of an old Connecticut estate with quite a collection, and would think c. 1880s or so. Hearts upon hearts, and scalloped edges everywhere, with fantastic ribbing on the short sides all the way around. Wonderful.

4 3/4" x 4 1/16" x 1 3/4". There us one clean split to the short side at top right curve as documented, which took me a while to notice at all. Otherwise excellent condition, gorgeous patina lid fits just right and lies flat and flush.