A 19th c. wooden hanging shelf in old varnish finish over a brown stained ground.
Constructed of poplar wood and joined with combination cut square nails and machine cut round shafted nails. 
The backboard displays an eccentric series of cutouts showing diamond shaped lozenges, demilunes and interconnecting straight lines joining the internal cutouts. Two shelves house applied sawtooth borders on three sides attached via iron nails. 
Its hand-crafted structure relates directly to the postindustrial craft being produced in rural areas of the Piedmont of North Carolina in the late 19th c. Stylization of the sawtooth design, demilunes and diamond shaped lozenges mirror painted designs seen on furniture produced in Catawba and surrounding counties, known for their German and Scot-Irish immigrants. 
Remains in a completely as-descended state of condition with excellent structural qualities with one sawtooth lobe missing early in its life or perhaps during its manufacture. The varnish surface is exceptional with crackled texture. 
For additional information on Piedmont furniture making and stylistic decoration, see Chipstones article titled "Paint-Decorated Furniture from Piedmont North Carolina" by June Lucas.
Piedmont area of North Carolina in origin, perhaps Catawba or Rowan County. Ca. 1890. 26"T x 15"W.