Wagon chest

When we emigrated from South Africa 46 years ago, we brought very few possessions. This box was brought because it could be stuffed with smaller items and was included in the half filled container with other goods.

The box, known as a wa-kis or wagon chest, probably dates from the 19th century and was used as the seat for the driver of an ox wagon (the wa part; the w pronounced as a v).

It could contain tools for the maintenance of the wagon or other goods.

The floral decoration is well known, and in researching the item, a Wikipedia article describes the following

“Various flower and ornamental designs were also painted on the wagons and the chests that the wagons carried, making them look very colourful.”

I cannot date it accurately and the screws and hinges inside look modern, perhaps part of a refurbishment exercise.

This image is shown in conjunction with my cousin analogconvert13 who is an extremely skilled artisan and is making a new blanket box.

https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/3245048159583339100