Sailor Made Ditty Box with Three Stars

Circa 2nd Half 19th Century: This handsome 7"D x 3"H sailor made folk art ditty box features an original five color polychromatic paint scheme and a complex sgraffito encircled star within a star within a star pattern on its lid. This interesting decoration is very precise and was obviously expertly configured with a compass and other drafting or cartographer's tools. The box is in excellent condition with one early in use replaced nail and a short, tight line emanating from it.