Paper-Lined Shaker Boxes

About This Listing

This listing showcases examples of previously sold paper-lined boxes. If you’re interested in a specific size, finish, or lining option, please submit a request form above or email me at robert@lehays.com. This helps me gauge interest and ensures you’ll be notified when new pieces become available.

A Nod to Tradition

For centuries, people have lined boxes, cabinets, and drawers with printed paper to help protect the interior, and for decorative purposes. Whether it’s a 19th-century newspaper advertisement, a Civil War battle report, or an elegant floral design inspired by historical interiors, these linings give each box a unique connection to the past.

Available Lining Options

• Authentic 19th-Century Newspapers – Carefully selected from original antique newspapers that might otherwise be lost to time, these linings preserve a piece of history inside each box.
• Reproduction Floral Paper – High-quality prints based on authentic 19th-century designs, chosen for their historical accuracy.

Box Sizes & Pricing Information

Each paper-lined box is priced based on size, with base prices listed in the dropdown menu. Some rare or historically significant newspaper linings may increase the final price.

Available Sizes:

• Size #3 – 7 ½” L x 5” W x 2 ¾” H
• Size #4 – 8 ¾” L x 6” W x 3 ¼” H
• Size #5 – 10” L x 7” W x 4” H
• Size #6 – 11 ½” L x 8 ¼” W x 4 ½” H
• Size #7 – 13” L x 9 ¼” W x 5 ¼” H

Exterior Finish: When submitting a request, please include your preferred exterior color/finish. Finish samples can be found by Clicking Here

Construction & Craftsmanship

• Hand-Cut Joints – Each swallowtail joint is carefully hand-cut by Robert LeHay, ensuring every piece is unique.
• Materials – The box sides are crafted from maple, birch, or ash, while the top and bottom boards are quartersawn pine, all milled in my workshop in Embden, Maine.
• Traditional Fasteners – Copper tacks, made on 19th-century machines, secure the bands and bottom/top boards.
• Hand-Applied Finish – Painted pieces receive two coats of hand-mixed milk paint, then a tung oil finish for durability. Natural finish boxes are dyed, then receive five coats of tung oil.
• Paper Lining Process – Each box is carefully lined using a multi-step preservation process to ensure durability:
  • The interior is painted off-white to highlight the text or design and to minimize imperfections.
  • The paper is sealed with a protective acrylic coating to strengthen the fibers and prevent ink from smudging.
  • Once dry, the back of the paper is fully coated with adhesive, then carefully applied and smoothed onto the wood.
  • A clear protective topcoat is applied to encapsulate the lining, followed by an additional acrylic sealant for long-term durability.

This process protects the paper lining, ensuring it remains durable and well-preserved for years to come.

Requesting a Box

Because each paper-lined box is unique, I do not take pre-orders. Instead, I encourage you to submit a request if you're interested. This helps me determine which items to focus on next.

• Fill out the request form above and choose your preferred size.
• In the notes section or via email, let me know:
  • Your preferred exterior color/finish
  • Whether you’d like an antique newspaper or reproduction floral paper lining

I’ll make sure you’re notified when a matching box becomes available.

Thank you for your interest in my work—it’s truly appreciated!