Early 19th Century Mortised Box Halloween Witch

🎃 A folk art witch has taken up residence in an early 19th century mortised box filled with a lit votive candle lending a spider web design along with a trio of graduated bottle brush trees. Glenda the witch has a feature that lights up her head by way of a hidden (push button) switch under her black cheesecloth dress. Three way option for controlling the lights, flashing, flashing slow or solid. Accepts three small button LR44 batteries accessed by removing the plastic lid. The end of the dowel (stake) was inserted into excelsior but she also comes with a base if you decide to place her elsewhere.

It is a mystery regarding what this box was used for. The metal tabs located on the top of the box suggests it would render heavy use as these pieces were used to support and reinforce the integrity of the box. Extreme wear to the bottom four corners as they possess round form. One of the corners has experienced some wood loss as shown.

Dry attic surface along with wide mortise construction outfitting the corners. The back of the box shows several rivets in the middle location which is again a mystery. Tight cracks appear at random along with minor wood loss. Overall condition is still very good for a piece this old.

Votive candle has an “on and off” switch located on the bottom that offers a brilliant glow of orange highlighting the spider web design on the top. A trio of bottle brush trees I painted with Halloween colors are graduated and rest nicely on the top ledge. Twin beechnut pods showing an acorn in the center along with a gum ball accent the front. A piece of fabric with a flying witch design drapes over the edge and ties in the theme. Lastly, a broom I fashioned leans up against the box and stands at the ready for Glenda’s night outings.

The contents can easily be removed after the holiday and welcomes new ideas from the owner. One suggestion may be to fill it full of greens, berries, bottle brush trees and a putz sheep or two for holiday decorating. Does not take up much room if space is at a premium. Enjoy!

Overall height is 11 ½” tall (including witch), box itself stand 4 ½” tall, measures 5 ½” across, measures 5 ¼” deep. Witch stands 9 ½” tall (excluding base) and measures 4” @ the widest point across (dress). Tallest tree stands 3” tall, medium tree stands 2 ¼” tall and the smallest tree stand 1 ¾” tall.