A small old cylindrical cardboard box, found with plenty of age and wear and given a new life in the studio.

The paper covering has been created from my own scan of an original antique French textile-covered box, preserving its wonderfully faded geometric design of tiny roses and flowers in soft pink, blue-green, charcoal and cream.

Rather than giving the box a pristine new finish, I have worked with its existing age and irregularities. The paper has been applied by hand and the original worn construction remains visible, with rubbed edges, small joins, uneven areas and glimpses of the old box beneath. These details are deliberately retained to give the finished piece the timeworn, homemade character of old paper-covered boxes.

On the reverse is a tiny Au Bon Marché, Paris price label, reproduced from an original antique label in my collection.

The original interior, rim and dark base have also been left intact, preserving as much of the character of the found box as possible. Its original purpose is unknown.

A one-of-a-kind little piece for keeping buttons, jewellery, ribbons and tiny treasures, or simply for displaying amongst a collection of old things.

Details

Old found cardboard box, original purpose unknown

Reworked by hand in my studio

Paper created from my own scan of an antique French textile-covered box

Reproduction Au Bon Marché, Paris label

Original interior, rim and base retained

Approx. 5 cm diameter × 8 cm high

One of a kind

Please note: This is a contemporary Studio Made piece created from an old found box using reproduced antique imagery. The decorative paper itself is not antique. Visible joins, rubbed edges, uneven surfaces and signs of age are part of the intentionally timeworn, handmade character of the piece.