A fab sailor seashell folk art trinket box from the early 1900's.  It is very unique, not only with the use of shells, but also features Victorian or Edwardian glass buttons, beads and what appear to be seed pods and stones.

The lid of the box is most interesting with keepsake mementos embedded with the shells.  Taking center stage is the face of a broken bisque doll head. Off to a side, a complete bisque frozen charlotte doll with once moveable arms, a tiny doll house size handled brown jug and a complete arrowhead.  Even a doll's glass eye.  In a corner, is a broken clear glass what appears to be a bird minus the head. (I believe the piece was already broken before used in this project.)   Again buttons, beads and brass embellishes the shells.

The maker and designer of this creation gave much thought to the details of the box.  I am of the opinion this charming piece dates from the early 1900's to no later than the early 1920's.  It was purchased directly from an estate in northwestern Ohio and the first time offered.  

The box, itself, is a wooden cigar box with the inside lined in paper foil. The lid lifts off.  (Possibly at one time, the back of the lid was connected to the box, or possibly not.)  Label on the bottom states the cigar box came from factory 604, first district, state of Ohio.  Stamps on the bottom of the box give a number but no other notations.  Trademark inside lid is Whirl Havana Cigars.  Size of the box is 6" wide x 9" long x 2-3/8" high.

Condition: Very good but some flaws.  A few shells missing here and there on the border plus overall a few missing or broken. Some loose and missing paper foil from the inside.  The amount of work and shells in this piece of art offset the few shells that have been lost..