Featured Norwegian tankard?

Hello!
Please tell me about this mug? I've never seen anything like it. There is no mechanism to lift the lid. The material is Karelian birch. Height 17 cm. Diameter 13.5 cm. Is this an original item from the 18th century?
Best Regards, Roman.

 

Looks right to me.....

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Looks like you are missing the thumb-catch at the back of the lid to tip it up.

 

Ditto what Brad said-Quite a piece.May I ask where/how you found it and what country ?

 

Karelian got my attention - the last I learned it was part of Russia but ethnically Finnish. Norway would fit to, because I bet the birch species grows there and in Sweden too.

 

You guys are a lot more trusting than me. I almost never see authentic dates carved into furniture, this looks similar to me. Carving is not nearly on par with the examples brad showed, and they didn’t even try on the handle. Look closely. This looks much more like a copy done by someone trying their hand at a piece to decorate their mantle.

In short, not right for authentic 18th century, unless there is something I’m not seeing.

 

Good point !!

 

I must say, I agree. I also don't see the nice mellow wood, from care and handling, of the 18th century ones.
That said, making these tankards could be an ongoing tradition. Historic replica could also be a possibility.

 

If it was a replica/forgery-where might it have been made ? The large & crisply carved date is cautionary-still a beautiful piece.

 

I think it is very unlikely that it is a forgery.
As I said, making these tankards could be an ongoing tradition, or it was made as a historic replica. In both cases it would have been made in Norway or Sweden.

 

I'm a long-time collector of Norwegian carved wood spoons, and have spent decades wishfully looking at other Norwegian carved wood pieces like mangle boards, boxes, tankards, etc. - can tell you that it's not uncommon for dates to be carved in, and personally see no reason to doubt the age of this piece. Should keep in mind that, as it always is, the quality will vary by the skill of the maker - suspect the handle would be more attractive if the 'tail' were not broken off, and the unfortunately missing thumbpiece would almost certainly be a lion, like the feet, and the naive, rather charming fellow on the lid...

From Pinto's 'Treen and Other Wooden Bygones' (1969):




~Cheryl

 

Thank you all very much for your answers! I have never encountered wooden items of that period and have never seen them in real life, so I completely rely on your experience. I bought it at an auction in Russia. There was almost no interest in it from other auction participants, so I paid 56 euros for it, if converted from rubles) Even if it is a fake, the price is quite acceptable for me. Today I looked through examples of sales of the same ones and some also had dates cut out on the bottom and on the side of the mug.

Best Regards, Roman.

 

Whatever the age, it is an unusual and handmade item from a region known for its high pricing. You did very well, congratulations.

 

Many thanks! The legs in the form of lying Lions are not glued, but cut out together with the mug from one piece of wood. And the Lions even have tongues sticking out. I think it's very complicated to do)

 

Very nice.

I must say, in the photo below, one of two you just posted, I do see nice rubbing consistent with an antique item.
My apologies for not noticing earlier.

 

Can I participate in a Russian Auction from the States ? Maybe Portland gets a pass!

 

Roman, welcome to the forums. Believe it's very unlikely that this piece was 'faked', it's a nice old piece, and to my eye, everything about it is 'right', the damaged handle and missing thumbpiece definitely decrease its value, but I also believe you made a very good buy...

~Cheryl

 

Looking at these other examples, I wonder if the handle might be an old replacement. Seems it should at least have some minimal carved embellishment to it.

 

There is a 10 and some letters on the side of the handle. Is there a 10 on the tankard? Maybe to match the handle to the body?

Good to see the photos full size like that. No matter how much you click on thumbnails, this way you notice more.

 

There is a faded ink writing on the side of the pen. I can't make out what it says. Photo of wooden pins. And writing on the inside of the lid, in white paint, 117. I don't know what it means.

 

Maybe a code from a collection it was once part of.