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Beautiful and substantial antique hand-carved wooden box, purchased from an antique shop in London, England.
The box is extensively decorated across the lid, front and both ends with bold scrolling foliage, stylized leaves and floral forms carved in relief against textured recessed backgrounds. The design is strongly reminiscent of the acanthus-carving traditions of Norway and Scandinavia.
Based on the carving style, solid-wood construction, hardware and overall age and wear, I believe this piece is Northern European, likely Scandinavian and possibly Norwegian, and probably dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, approximately 1880–1920. There are no maker’s marks or inscriptions, so the exact origin and date cannot be confirmed.
The box is constructed of solid wood with a broad solid-board base, plain wooden interior and hinged lid. The older metal hardware includes slotted screws. The underside, interior and construction are shown in the photographs.
The carving is particularly striking. Deeply scrolling foliage surrounds stylized floral motifs, with darker textured recessed areas creating wonderful depth and contrast. The warm, mellow surface and wear to the high points of the carving give the piece tremendous character.
Approximate measurements:
15” wide × 7” deep × 6½” high
Condition
Good antique condition with considerable age-related character. There are old splits and cracks, including a long split to the lid, along with scratches, edge wear, small losses/chips, areas of separation and variations in the surface and finish. These are visible in the photographs and are consistent with an old, hand-worked wooden object.
The box remains highly decorative and displays beautifully. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description.
Provenance: Purchased from an antique shop in London, England.
A wonderful piece for a collection of Norwegian or Scandinavian folk art, European antiques, antique woodcarving or primitive/folk art, and an especially handsome decorative storage or keepsake box.
Please note: The Scandinavian/Norwegian attribution and circa 1880–1920 date are based on the carving style, construction and appearance of the piece. They are not confirmed by a maker’s mark or original documentation.
