Small but perfectly formed
5th January 2024
Two private collections of treen are a significant feature of the Furniture, Works of Art and Clocks auction at Woolley and Wallis on 17th January.
The Simon Castle Collection of Treen comprises 34 lots of small decorative or useful wooden items, closely followed by the Geoffrey Chesters Collection of 24 lots of table salts, chalices, string boxes, wig stands and other finely turned pieces.
Perfectly timed for ‘Old Twelfth Night’ (17th January) is a large wassail bowl, dating to the 17th century. The tradition of wassailing (blessing the orchards to drive out evil spirits and ensure a strong apple crop) still takes place in some cider-making regions. Many adopt Old Twelfth Night as the date for such celebrations, ignoring the days lost when the calendar was adjusted in 1752. The wassail bowl is made of lignum vitae – a south American wood that was a popular import in Britain from the 16th century – and carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,000 – 1,500.
Another highlight is a Welsh lovespoon, dating to the early 19th century. Lovespoons date back to the mid 17th century and are believed to have been originally carved by lovelorn sailors using exotic woods picked up on their travels. The gift of a lovespoon to a girl would indicate her suitor’s intent, and the acceptance of it allowed him to court her and displayed them as a couple in the eyes of the local community. This is the origin of the word “spooning”. The example in the Castle Collection is carved with small hearts, crescent moons and other shapes.
Outside of the UK, the Black Forest has a strong tradition of wood carving, often depictions of dogs, bears or other animals. These carvings were first made in the town of Brienz in Switzerland during the 19th century; believed to have been a way of generating revenue following a particularly disastrous famine. The ornamental carvings depicting local scenes and animals were highly prized by Grand Tourists and visitors to the Swiss lakes. Today they retain a charm and natural appeal that is highly prized by collectors. Two mountain dogs and a linden wood figure of an eagle exemplify the type of wares produced in the region across the 19th and early 20th century.
As an area of collecting, the world of treen provides ample opportunity for buyers across the board to learn about different types of wood, carving techniques, and to acquire a range of tactile objects with a fascinating social history.
