A 19th c. spruce gum box in original windsor green paint.
Constructed of a hollowed body of maple wood in barrel form. Each end is fitted with its original corresponding lids, one being deeply chamfered. The exterior is extensively carved featuring deeply carved chip carving lines and incised medial chevrons. Eight-sided stars encompassed within a circle endorse two sided and contain a four sided chip carved motif within.
Its original paint, a deep shade of windsor green adorns the exterior and displays a beautifully aged surface showing crazing. 
As a product of Nova Scotia, the design elements of the carving reflect heavily on the stylized Gothic Revival period. Its maker produced this spruce gum box in response to both the currect architectural acceptance of the time as well as barrels being the primary means of 19th century shipping logistics. Barrel shaped boxes such as these were produced during winter months with harvested spruce gum inside and sent home to family members.
Remains in superb original condition.
Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Ca. 1880. 3 3/4"T.