1990s Oval Palm Wood Trinket Box

Description

Both the body and lid of this jewelry -- or trinket -- box has been hollowed out of the same … more Both the body and lid of this jewelry -- or trinket -- box has been hollowed out of the same block of coconut palm wood so that the peculiar dotted pattern of the end-grain shows on the top of the lid and inside bottom of the box. It also means that the grain and color of the wood of the lid matches that of the body. The lid has been precisely fashioned to fit onto the body snugly but not too tightly. Such palm wood as this is extremely hard and can only be found in trees that are around 100 years old or more. I designed and made a number of these boxes in various shapes about 25 years ago in the Philippines, but I gave up as the wood was so hard that it damaged my tools. I just have a few left. The overall horizontal dimensions are 4 1/2 inches by 3 1/4 inches and the height is 2 1/2 inches. The thickness of the material in the sides and bottom is about 1/8 inch. They are finished in polished shellac. These pieces are almost certainly unique in the world and in history. The templates have been long since destroyed by termites and the secret of how to make them will most likely die with me. This piece is, of course, unused and in new condition. less