Historically Norwegians used these boxes to hold everything. The one I show was a lunch box or sewing box. Much bigger ones were used to hold grain or flour. It is similar to the japanese and the Shaker box . I wet the wood in cold water, bend it around a form and let dry. Shape the top and bottom to the sides, then add the 'ears'. BTW spreading the ears releases the top to open. I originally saw these in FWW magazine. Since, I have purchased a Norwegian book that I can't read, but has detailed pictures.