Featured Very(?) Old Wooden Trinket Box

Hello.

I'd be very grateful if any experts out there were able to offer any information regarding the estimated age of a small trinket box which I recently acquired.

The box measures c. 8cm x 3cm and is made of a light (in weight) wood, perhaps birch (?). The sides appear to have a single piece of veneer facing which joins at one of the corners. The carved lid depicts children in period costume at play.
There is worm damage on the lid and quite significant age-related wear in general. I'm not sure what the short dark streaks on the lid are.

Possibly the style of hinges may give some indication as to possible age, which I assumed to be C19th or possibly C18th(?). However, I'll keep an open mind at the moment, as there are so many convincing copies circulating of just about everything !

Thanks to everyone !!

 

It could be a tobacco box.

 

Here’s something with a similar hinge described as a snuff box.
https://www.ebay.ie/itm/ANTIQUE-CONTINENTAL-BIRCH-WOOD-SNUFF-BOX-17-18TH-C-/182891372001

 

I know nothing about such things. What I observed is that on your box where you would expect wear on the middle of the lip of the top of the box caused by opening and closing, there is little evidence of it. Perhaps, yours was just created and rarely used. @Houseful's shows wear there.

 

The design looks to be pressed into the wood rather than carved at least on the sides.Birchwood is a soft wood and would not be great for carving . Both your box and the ebay box have the same black lines. Far fetch idea -could those be some kind of government markings like a tobacco tax stamp. Trying to think "outside the box"

 

Found another one with similar lines. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...en-snuff-box-featuring-stag-h-17-c-5334f27ab8

 

Birch can have those black lines, and it can be carved.
Birch is mostly a northern wood, and the style looks northern European to me too. I wouldn't rule out the northern parts of Central and Eastern Europe.

 

Looks right to me for an early to mid 19th century pressed wood snuff box - would think birch as well, and guessing perhaps German, though the bit more common round ones were French...

~Cheryl

 

MANY MANY MANY THANKS to all you guys for the fantastic response.
It looks like the case has been cracked. In fact, the box posted by Houseful looks about as close as you can get to a twin !
So - A late 17th/ early 18th century birch snuff box. European.

Not sure whether to keep it or sell it on, as it's not the type of thing I normally collect. At least I can be reasonably sure of getting my €30 investment back on this one !

Once again, thank you ALL very much for for being so generous with your time and effort. It is sincerely appreciated.

 

Good buy!

 

I don't see children playing,looks like 2 "nobles" about to be stabbed in the back.

 

THAT’S an amazing looking box!!! And I do agree with @Hollyblue that there are two knives or swords most definitely pointed at two individuals backs!! I DON’T know if they are children or adults, with one holding a dog as well, and someone dropped a knife?? But what I question MOST is that the WHOLE box seems to have the thin ‘layer’ of carving on all sides (except the bottom).....making me wonder if....just from the pictures, obviously, if it’s not some sort of a wax or resin overlay?......it’s very visible on all sides & top shown.....might also explain the ‘holes’ in the lid?

​

 

Steamed and pressed thin wood glued to a plain wood base,another example with process in description. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Vintage-1800s-French-pressed-burl-wood-snuff-box-/153866390527

 

Thank you, @Hollyblue....better explained!!

 

Please take into consideration that sales descriptions and anecdotal notes are not necessarily accurate, and asking prices are often extremely optimistic - these pressed wood snuff boxes are typically attributed as 19th century, late 18th at earliest...


Image search for "pressed wood snuff box":

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...hUKEwirrfzOwZ7uAhWB2FkKHfF1CvQQ4dUDCAc&uact=5


This lot, sold at Brunk's in 2018, includes one with Schwanthaler's statue of 'Bavaria' in Munich, not even unveiled until 1850:

https://www.brunkauctions.com/lot/11-continental-pressed-wood-snuff-boxes-3229269





This French one commemorating the 1805 Battle of Austerlitz, is at the British Museum:

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1878-0110-1



Recent 'Solds' on eBay:




An 'Unsold' box with the Swedish Royal Arms:




~Cheryl

 

Hello again ! It looks like my enthusiasm was short lived ! After further research on the net, I am now of the view that the box is probably 19th century and made of laminated or pressed birch. It just goes to show that you need as much evidence as possible before you can make a final conclusion ! And how 'optimistic' the appraisals of some sellers can be, when in pursuit of a profitable sale !

Thanks again to you all !!!!!

 

Still a cool find!
Leslie