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Holt Antiques at Walsingham Mill

Diminutive Early 17th Century Antique Treen Table Top Box – Vernacular Form | Love Token

Diminutive Early 17th Century Antique Treen Table Top Box – Vernacular Form | Love Token

£1,250.00 GBP
£1,250.00 GBP
Sale Sold
Shipping calculated at checkout.
This exceptional early 17th century carved wooden table box represents a remarkable survival from the Jacobean period. Measuring approximately 18 cm in width, this intimate treasure box showcases the finest traditions of period woodcarving and folk art symbolism.

The box exhibits comprehensive hand-carved decoration across all visible surfaces. The front panel features an elaborate heraldic composition centered on a crowned shield bearing a heart motif, flanked by stylized sunburst rosettes and symbolic elements including what appears to be an hourglass and staff. This heraldic imagery speaks to themes of love, mortality, and the passage of time—common motifs in 17th century decorative arts.

The side panels display beautifully rendered foliate designs with intertwining vines and leaf patterns, executed with the characteristically bold, graphic quality of period chip-carving. The lid and remaining surfaces continue this decorative program with repeated geometric and floral motifs, including circular medallions containing stylized flowers within rope-twist borders.

The interior reveals honest wear consistent with four centuries of use, with original iron strap hinges still functional. The warm, dark patina of the wood—likely oak—has developed naturally over time, with variations in color adding depth and character to the carved surfaces.

This box would have served as a personal storage piece for valuables, documents, or treasured possessions, sitting atop a table or chest in a period home. The symbolic carving program suggests it may have been a gift marking a betrothal or marriage, making it both a functional object and a testament to enduring affection.

The condition is remarkable for its age, with the carving remaining crisp and legible, original hardware intact, and the structure sound. Minor losses and honest wear only enhance its authenticity and historical presence.

Provenance: 17th Century. Most probably continental in origin.

Condition: Please refer to the images. Structurally sound with age-related wear. The surface patina is consistent with 17th-century timber. There has been an old sheet metal repair to one corner and the opposite end board has also had an old sheet metal repair.

Dimensions:

  • Metric: Height 18 cm × Width 7 cm × Depth 8.5 cm

  • Imperial: Height 7.1 inches × Width 2.8 inches × Depth 3.3 inches

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We are a member of the following 4 Professional Institutions:

1. LAPADA (London and Provincial Antique Dealers Association) –  LAPADA is the UK’s largest trade association for professional art & antique dealers (representing approximately 500 UK dealer members). All items are backed by our LAPADA guarantee;

2. CINOA –Confédération Internationale des Négociants en Oeuvres d'Art, (or International Confederation of Art and Antique Dealers' Associations) is the world association of art & antique dealer associations (representing 5000 dealers from 32 associations in 22 countries);

3. The Norfolk & Suffolk Antique Dealers Association - Representing reputable, high quality antiques dealers based in Norfolk and Suffolk; and

4. FSB - Federation of Small Business.

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