A rare early painted spill box in original red paint/varnish mix.
Constructed from pine wood and formed into an unusually elaborate design featuring an extremely tall backboard crowned with a graphic upswing and terminating in a lolipop cutout and pierced hanging hole. An applied shallow and short pocket in the front features a canted interior in its front board, offering convenience when a single spill is taken. Initials "EP" can be seen impressed on its backboard. 
A form more commonly seen is a thin, tall and rectangular shape for storage of lighting spills. This ornate design combines that same traditional form but with the addition of a large backboard serving solely decorative function. 
Many utility boxes of the period share similar decorative crowns, implying stylization being consistent with utility boxes for varying use. This spill box falls directly in line with the polularized designs of the time and shares the same concept of a decorative crown. 
Rare, possibly unique in design and had descended time with an extremely desirable historic surface to its paint with crazing, craquelure and oxidation. Superb original condition.
New England origin. Ca. 1790-1820. 18 1/2"T x 10 1/2"W x 3 1/2"D