Bidspirit auction | 19th century Small Antique Brass

19th century Small Antique Brass Studded Dome Top Document Chest - A small nineteenth-century rectangular dome-top document chest of solid wood plank construction. The exterior is finished with a weathered patina and features decorative brass-headed tacks arranged in geometric patterns. The front lid panel displays a monogram formed by brass tacks reading S S. The lid is fitted with a central iron wire swing handle and is secured at the front with a vertical iron hasp and lock plate. The back is mounted with two iron butt hinges secured by screws. Fragments of black leather or cloth banding remain at the base and the lower edge of the lid. The interior is lined with paper composed of pages from a newspaper titled The Aurora, which is overlaid with a black polka-dot pattern. The interior lid features a handwritten ink inscription in cursive script that reads Sarah Stallworth Parkhurst Hereford. The newspaper text includes headlines such as EASTER MONDAY'S SPORTS and references to the Lord Mayor's Procession. Length: 17 3/4 inches Height: 7 1/2 inches. This antique chest shows wear and characteristics consistent with its age and historical use. The exterior wood surface exhibits numerous scratches, abrasions, and a weathered patina (photo 1). There is evidence of historic woodworm activity with small exit holes visible on the side and lid (photo 3, 4). Several brass tacks are missing from the decorative patterns (photo 2). The black banding is significantly frayed, torn, and absent in various sections (photo 11). The interior paper lining is heavily stained with large dark fluid marks on the bottom and lid (photo 6, 7). The lining is also torn and peeling in several areas, particularly along the seams and hinges (photo 8, 9). The iron hardware shows surface oxidation and rust (photo 5, 10).