A rare painted treen lever action nutcracker

£1,000 - £1,500 £2,800

A rare painted treen lever action nutcracker, carved with the head of a man with a flat face and with stylised hair, with owner's initials 'W M' and with remains of red painted decoration, late 17th / early 18th century, 15.7cm long.

See Jonathan Levi, 'Treen for the Table', pl.12/11 and pl. 12/13 for similar nutcrackers carved with the same flat faces.