Carved Victorian Boot Match Safe Arthur armour The solid orange/red lacquer handle

The solid orange/red lacquer handle at the center of the top makes this box particularly nice

but it is well stuck on and I'm leaving it alone

and the scratched up blue painted surface is pretty great

and documented in detailed photo

Carved Victorian Boot Match Safe Arthur armour The solid orange/red lacquer handleBoot shaped match safes were definitely a thing one finds carved as well as cast iron versions shaped like cowboy boots as well as Victorian boots, which I believe is the case with this one, which I believe dates to the end of the 19th century. I'm a sucker for a carved shoe or boot to begin with, and even better if serves a function! The finish to the wood is well worn, particularly on one side, but there are no notable chips or cracks and it remains