Presumed 18th Century Heavy Book Shaped Writing Box with Original Red Paint Remnants, Likely British phenomenon which would originally have housed

which would originally have housed a combination of undivided cubes and others divided in halves or quarters

where they would feel like insertions into lively conversation

Perhaps nice to have the two together to use somehow (a pretty little pillow they would make) so I'm selling as a pair

I might guess 1970s or so

Presumed 18th Century Heavy Book Shaped Writing Box with Original Red Paint Remnants, Likely British phenomenon which would originally have housedI've had a couple of 19th century book shaped tole painted boxes holding ink wells with room for pens and letters inside; this I believe is an earlier and finer precursor to those, 18th century British I think. I purchased it at one of the shows in Nashville from a dealer who had purchased it at auction, described that way, and it is most definitely old, crafted, it appears to me, of thick, heavy brass (it is quite heavy and substantial for its size.)