Table or dresser box with drawer, K. H. M

Box resembling a round-back book, painted black and gold, with green, blue, and yellow details, with nailed construction. The front cover or top has a central scallop-edged cartouche with floral flourishes, enclosing the monogram K.H.M. The edges of cover feature a thick-and-thin double-line gold border. On the spine, five evenly spaced gold lines suggest four panels between raised bands. The foredge includes a large faux clasp in painted wood. The edges of the book are painted gold, with the drawer front formed by the bottom edge. The drawer interior is lined in maroon paper with a printed pattern of gold dots. A fragment of the original inset red wool pull-strap remains nailed to the top edge of the drawer front, while a textile replacement pull-strip is tacked to the outside of the drawer. The sides and back of the drawer are left unpainted. -- description by Mindell Dubansky in consultation with Marijn Manuels