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Lot Essay
The rear of the box has the name and origin of its maker written into the wet paint 'Baker Maker Oakfordbridge 1875.'; on the lid, again written into the wet paint, are the words 'E.Bead Oakford'.
The census return for Oakford in 1861 records a James Baker listed as an unmarried lodger age 72 (he would have been 85 years old when he made this box in 1875). In the same census an Emma Bead is recorded as servant and dairy made, age 15 and born in Tiverton.
These details written on the box make it one of the most highly provenanced items of West Country furniture yet recorded.
The census return for Oakford in 1861 records a James Baker listed as an unmarried lodger age 72 (he would have been 85 years old when he made this box in 1875). In the same census an Emma Bead is recorded as servant and dairy made, age 15 and born in Tiverton.
These details written on the box make it one of the most highly provenanced items of West Country furniture yet recorded.