Early 17th-Century Continental Table-Top Box with Stumpwork Embroidery | Only 5 Inches Wide

A rare survivor from the early 1600s, this exquisitely small continental table-top box measures just 5 inches wide (approx. 12.7 cm), yet it encapsulates the craftsmanship and domestic artistry of the period. The box is constructed from richly patinated hardwood, likely walnut, and features inset textile panels adorned with raised stumpwork embroidery—a technique popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, characterized by its dimensional, padded motifs often depicting flora, fauna, or allegorical scenes.

Each panel is framed within a delicate moulded border, suggesting the box was intended for personal or devotional use, possibly housing keepsakes or religious relics. The embroidery, though faded, retains traces of its original silk and metallic threads, offering a glimpse into the opulence once present.

The lid opens to reveal an interior void of any fittings but lined with decorative paper.

Provenance: Acquired from a private European collection with ties to the Low Countries, this piece likely originated in Flanders or Northern France, regions known for their textile artistry and domestic woodwork during the early Baroque period. Its scale and embellishment suggest it may have belonged to a member of the merchant class or minor nobility.

Condition:

• Structurally sound with original hinges and lock plate intact

• Embroidered panels show expected wear and fading consistent with age

• Minor losses to threadwork and surface abrasions to wood

• No modern restorations; retains authentic patina and integrity

Historical Context

Boxes of this scale and decoration were often used to store devotional items, jewellery, or correspondence. The use of stumpwork embroidery aligns with the domestic needlework traditions of the late Renaissance, where women of status would create elaborate panels for personal items. This piece reflects the intersection of textile and woodcraft, emblematic of early 17th-century European domestic interiors.