Eight Sided 19th Century Treen Teetotem Czechoslovakian or like a porcupine protecting

or like a porcupine protecting the stash hidden inside the slide top box

Plus a wonderfully worn indent for pulling opening

In my experience it's a pretty rare thing to find an old tramp art box that wasn't varnished or painted

12 1/4" long x 9 1/2" wide x 1" tall

Eight Sided 19th Century Treen Teetotem Czechoslovakian or like a porcupine protectingI've had a couple of these carved of bone, but this is the first treen (hardwood) example I've found, British I presume, and I believe earlier than later 1800s. My photos aren't great, but it a lovely thing, with black inked numbers in each side, written in just the same manner as on early 19th century bone ones, so I do believe of that age. Used in the 18th and 19th century for games including "Put and Take," and often as substitutes for dice