bentwood

Looks like a Pacific Northwest Haida first nation bentwood box.

Hmm, I wonder if this is him - James Giles (1830-1912), at one time "gold commissioner". He would have been 40-45 at the time of this photo. DEATH OF MR. JAMES GILES. The death of Mr James Giles, late Stipendiary Magistrate, took place yesterday at a private hospital, after an illness lasting for several months. Mr Giles was born at Clones, County Lonaghan [sic - Monaghan], Ireland on June 1, 1830, and came to Australia about 60 years ago [ie about 1850]. In his early days he followed pastoral pursuits in conjunction with the late Captain Turner, principally in Victoria and this State. He witnessed many exciting episodes when acting in the capacity of gold commissioner. He was, however, best known as a magistrate. For year he held the position of P.M. at Bombala, Deniliquin, and Parramatta his final appointment being that of stipendiary magistrate in the metropolitan district until his retirement about 12 years ago. Politically while not taking any prominent part, he was an enthusiastic Liberal supporter. The funeral will leave St Matthias' Church to-day, the interment subsequently taking place at the family vault at Rookwood. Mr Giles has left one daughter- his wife, son and two daughters having predeceased him. From Sydney Morning Herald 27/11/1912, p.18 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/15378529 Found by a Trove search for "james giles gold". A search for "john giles gold" produced nothing of interest.

Mutton chops and sideburns - " ... Sideburns, sideboards,[1] or side whiskers are patches of facial hair grown on the sides of the face, extending from the hairline to below the ears and worn with an unbearded chin. The term sideburns is a 19th-century corruption of the original burnsides, named after American Civil War general Ambrose Burnside,[2] a man known for his unusual facial hairstyle that connected thick sideburns by way of a moustache, but left the chin clean-shaven. "Burnsides" became "sideburns" probably because of their location on the side of the face. ... " en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideburns

beachcomber australia I'm with Beachcomber, or as the old timer might say: you're darn tootin' that be a Gold commissioner if I ever seed one (apologies to Walter Brennan).