Vague I Know But Would Anyone Have An Idea

[weecalf]

I have a little square wooden item .Im reluctant to call it box but it does have a sliding lid when slide open it has a round hole drilled in it with an opening of .25".It is approx. 1.5 " square by 1.25" deep .on the top is a wooden inlay of lighter coloured wood in it approx .25" wide .If you can imagine it would hold a rolled up tape measure allowing it to be pulled through the opening when the lid is slid closed. I would imagine it would have an age . I will give any other details if any one has any idea .Thanks for reading this

[silliemillie]

Maybe a string holder?

[weecalf]

Thanks Was thinking that or thread holder .What is the name for the wooden inlay on boxes .Also not sure if this is relevant but on the bottom there is an indentation of a small heart.

[Buenchico]

Perhaps a type of wick box?
http://www.bluefarmantiques.com/galleryItems/slidetopbox.html

[Buenchico]

>>>What is the name for the wooden inlay on boxes

Marquetry?

[weecalf]

Thank you .the slide on the top is so well made that you have to look quite closely to see it so it quite a well made wee item. Will look that up and see if I come up with anything like it .

[treetops68]

Is it the lid or the box that has the hole in it? Is it Mauchlan ware? A Picture would be a great help if possible.

[starone]

I think you are describing an old fashioned wooden pencil box. It sounds like one I had when I was a child and I am now 87, so pretty old. I don't know where I got it from because we were very poor - must have been one of the better off aunts. There should be room for some pencils, a small ruler and a rubber and anything else you can squash in.

[starone]

Bit difficult without a photograph.

[quinie]

I remember wooden pencil boxes,starone, but were they not oblong shaped?

[Buenchico]

>>>It is approx. 1.5 " square by 1.25" deep

Very small pencils!

[starone]

Yes quinie, you are right. I have difficulty imagining it without a picture.

[stewey]

Yes, weecalf. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words. Can you post one?

[shoota]

Tunbridge ware

[shoota]

Sorry forgot the ??

[stewey]

It looks like you might have it, shoota.

[Buenchico]

Most Tunbridge Ware has complex inlay on the sides as well as the top, which doesn't seem to fit too well with Weecalf's description.

However this link might still be of interest as it illustrates several small boxes in 'Desk Accessories', 'Needlework Accessories', etc, and so might give Weecalf a clue as to the purpose of his mystery box:
http://www.tunbridgeware.org/

[shoota]

Chalk box?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Chalk-Box-Wood-Wooden-Sliding-Top-5-x-5-x-5-w-Original-Chalk-Pieces-/281318348664?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417fe15778

[anneasquith]

why would there be a hole on the chalk box ?

[Buenchico]

>>>why would there be a hole on the chalk box ?

To drop your chalk into after using it, perhaps? (The one in Shoota's link has a hole in it. However people still seem to be ignoring the size specified in Weecalf's post!)

[anneasquith]

I wish we could see a picture of it, yes chris it is very small.