ANTIQUE 19thC ALL ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED 9" FIRKIN 1800s Well-Preserved Genuine Antique Excellent Condition NR! Start Price USD 9.99 Current Price USD 525.00 Time Left - Bid Count 19 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 01, 2008 End Time Saturday, October 11, 2008 Location Wells, ME See more about 'ANTIQUE 19thC ALL ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED 9" FIRKIN 1800s' Description ~ ANTIQUE 19thC ALL ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED 9" FIRKIN 1800s ~ ~ ANTIQUE 19thC ALL ORIGINAL BLUE PAINTED 9" FIRKIN 1800s ~ ~ Excellent Condition w/No Reserve ~ This auction brings you a genuine antique New England wood firkin or sugar bucket dating to the mid to late 1800s in its original blue paint. These beautiful hand-crafted wooden primitives were also called a sugar bucket by some. This is an extremely rare antique firkin in all-original condition, complete with its original lid and ash handle. This beauty measures 9" high to the top of the lid, which is a highly-desired and extremely collectible size. It measures 13 1/2" to the top of the age-worn ash handle which also retains much of the original age and use-worn blue paint. The entire firkin/sugar bucket has developed a wonderful warm age-worn patina, particularly at the spots where the paint has been worn through and on the smooth well-worn ash handle. The light/dark blue paint is absolutely stunning to behold. I've taken pictures with different contrasts to try to convey the striking beauty of this antique firkin... The ash handle is held in place with the typical button-type wood pegs that are each held in place with hand-hewn wood pegs on the inside of the firkin.  The firkin is expertly crafted with the side planks held solidly in place with three super-tight ash straps around the body. The three ash straps around the body holding the wood planks together are rock-solid and in excellent all-original condition. The lid also has an ash strap around it. The nails holding the straps in place are all original hand-hewn period nails with both large and small heads placed as necessary on all ash straps. These early nails are found only on genuine antique firkins. The later types and all reproductions have staples at the ends of the straps. The lid and base are super-solid and tight. The base is even covered in the same original blue paint! The lid has the expected chink and small cracks & splits to be expected in a piece of this age. The original blue paint shows evidence of its age with heavy wear on top of the lid and some darkening and small spots of wear in places from use and age. It could probably be cleaned up a bit if desired, but I sure wouldn't touch it. It has a wonderful aged appearance lending authenticity, crudity and character. This piece still retains a sweet maple sap or sugary-type smell on the inside. Rare pieces like this are extremely hard if not impossible to come by, particularly in this fine condition which I detail next: Condition: Excellent. The entire firkin is extremely solid & tight. The base and top of the lid also have the original blue paint. There are no condition issues. This piece is lacking nothing. It's as perfect as it gets. Dimensions: 9" high to top of lid or 13 1/2" high to top of handle. Base diameter 9 3/4". Rim diameter 8 3/4". Lid diameter 9 1/4". An excellent and authentic antique firkin like this will make a wonderful gift or decorate your home with a lovely warm country feel. This is one of the finest painted firkins I've had the pleasure of offering...and what a wonderful time of year to win one of the best for holiday display or as a magnificent gift for the true lover of original country Americana. Offered with no reserve, this is an incredible chance to own a genuine antique firkin/sugar bucket in its original blue paint...one of the best I've ever offered. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Insurance is optional and suggested with cost to be determined by final selling price. Thanks!     Place a Bid!