19th Century Antique Oak Candle Box

A superb antique oak candle or salt box from the 19th century.

The hinged top opening to reveal a small storage space with a function drawer below which can be pulled all the way, revealing a hidden compartment below.

Stylised as a set of three drawers - the top and bottom being "dummy" drawers.

Boxes such as this would have originally been wall mounted and were used to keep candles safe from rodents and other vermin that were attracted to the smell of animal fat. 

It could have also been  to store other items like cutlery or salt.