Posted 10 years ago
jwas125
(9 items)
I have no idea what this is, maybe a mailbox? It came from my grandmother's estate but I don't ever remember seeing it when I visited her. I think it has to be close to 100 years old.
My grandmother wrote a description of the item on a piece of paper and put the paper in the lid of the box but by the time it came to me, most of the paper was missing and I can't read anything.
It appears to be aluminum that was painted and is now chipping. The front side of the box opens out and exposes the top portion. It is 12 in high and 9 in wide.
Anyone have an idea of what this is and it's use?
Put a magnet on it, I believe it will stick. Did grandma come from a rural area like maybe a farm?
The magnet did stick and grandma lived on a farm in hills of Ohio
I never saw these where city folks lived. Mail box would be hinged lower and have a pull knob. I believe you have a dome top bread tin. It closed tight as possible to keep bread, rolls etc air tight and fresh and keep field mice out. I have seen similar used for flour but more commonly bread.
Sounds possible, grandma did make everything from scratch, but wouldn't it open up instead of opening out? (if that makes sense!)
All I can tell you is what I have seen in my lifetime. If you are talking about the lid pulling up......once you pull it up how are you supposed to see inside it? If it opens downward the light shines in. Just my recount of memories, it may be any one of a number of things but it didn't have a handle to open it and doesn't appear to have holes where it was mounted to something.
That makes total sense, thank you for solving the mystery. Now I can record the info myself but will make sure it is somewhere other than written on an old piece of paper and taped to the box!
Wait for other comments. I am only speaking for what I have seen. Others may have seen different uses for the same item.