Signed Richmond, Virginia Tooled Leather Key Basket

mid-19th century, stamped S.S. Cottrell & Co., Richmond, VA within an oval, dark brown oval exterior with stitched geometric pattern, applied tapered handle, red leather interior.
7 x 8.5 x 3.5 in.
S.S. Cottrell & Co., is documented in an 1865 edition of the Richmond Whig as having lost merchandise from a devastating fire. Also of note in a 1903 obituary from the Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA), describes Samuel S. Cottrell as having ran a successful saddlery company, which during the Civil War provided saddles for the cavalry.
From the Collection of Mr. John Wynne, Lynchburg, Virginia
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Overall good age appropriate condition; the original handle appears to have been re-threaded in the original holes and the basket joints; the exterior basket with dark (near black) patina and alligatoring.