Not sure of the original purpose of this primitive old workbench… the two holes in each end appear to have received long spools of fabric or paper in the printing or sewing trade, but that is speculative. A knowledgeable antiques dealer should be able to help identify.
The finish shows years and years of use with wear marks and old wood patina that would be very hard to reproduce.
The bench compartment inside dimensions measure:
47”L x 12-3/4”W x 5-1/2”H
This is a perfect bench for your foyer or mudroom, and the inside of the bench when you lift the lid will hold a minimum of five pairs of shoes. The bench height offers a perfect place to sit when you are putting your shoes back on to go outside.
The hinges for the snug-fitting lid will need some penetrating oil such as 3 in 1 Oil, to become free and the lid reattached with three screws lid to box at each of the two standard hinges.