Antique Stoneware "I'm Your Match" Match Holder Native American basket with wonderfully shaped front and

with wonderfully shaped front and back flippers

This particular box features the original oak stain and mark on the front reading  "Patented 1889

who founded his aluminum business in Grove City

15ʺ W × 5ʺ D × 6ʺ H and weighs approximately 8 pounds

But what makes this one particularly intriguing is that pasted to the back of the painting and written in pencil in a childlike hand

Antique Stoneware "I'm Your Match" Match Holder Native American basket with wonderfully shaped front andIm completely smitten with this little antique stoneware crock type match holder this is clearly a couple for the ages! It is unmarked, but based on the color, shape and style of painting Id guess its American and dates to the mid to late 19th century, though I have not found another like it. (Of course who would ever part with one of these???) I just adore this funny, homely pair, who appear absolutely delighted with themselves and one another. What