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A Collection of Antique Treen Snuff Shoe Boxes


antique treen snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

These small antique snuff boxes in the shape of shoes are a collectors field in their own right, Many different styles, woods and sizes exist.

Traditionally shoes are associated with luck and love going back to the bible, the throwing of old foot wear after the bride and groom, tying shoes to the back of the wedding car and silver shoes on wedding cakes.

Many snuff shoes must have been given as love tokens or wedding presents as heart decorations either in the form of brass hearts, brass pique work or inlaid hearts in bone, ivory or contrasting woods can be found . Sometimes even two shoes combined with one lid are seen occasionally with a motto. Pairs of snuff shoes exist with one initial on each shoe.

Besides the love tokens other motifs exist including crowns, feathers, crosses, flowers. These can be found on the lid, toes and sole. Toes can sometimes be capped in metal and so can the heels.

Lids can be sliding, hinged or pivoted usually the opening is on the top, but on rare occasions the opening of the box is on the sole of the shoe.

Antique treen snuff shoe boxes followed the style of the shoes in fashion for example the straight toe were on the whole early 19th century and the high button or laced female boot is from the late 19th century.

Most are pocket sized but larger examples of antique snuff boxes can be found. They were displayed on tables and passed around at functions or placed on a tobacconists counter where free samples of the snuff were allowed.

The Gallery shows a number of antique snuff shoes all are currently for sale and if you require any further information please contact me.

Image 1 and 2 - A dated, domed antique snuff shoe box. Price £380

Image 3 and 4 - A rare sole opening snuff shoe. Price £440

Image 5 - An early 1800's Prisoner of War Snuff Shoe. Price £245

Image 6 - A 19th century table snuff shoe. Price £235

Image 7 and 8 - A pewter toe and heel capped 19th century mahogany snuff shoe. Price £185

Image 9 - A very small 19th century brass pique work snuff shoe. Price £145

Image 10 and 11 - An early 19th century concave hinged lid with heart to the sole. Price £255

antique treen snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

antique treen snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

antique treen snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

antique treen snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

antique treen Prisoner of war snuff shoes for sale opus antiques uk

 
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OPUS ANTIQUES
 
We first became involved in Antique Treen and furniture some twenty five years ago and since then a passion for Treen, small wooden snuff boxes and decorative wooden items has developed into Opus Antiques.


This web site shows only a  small selection of our current stock for sale, if you are looking for something you don't see, please contact us.

 

We are also interested in buying Antique Treen items. As well as using our Contact page, you can also email or telephone us on 07941 285532

To unsubscribe to any Email newsletters please contact us to remove your information.

ANTIQUE TREEN

The word Treen is derived from the word tree and is a term used to describe wooden household objects, all turned from one piece of wood e.g. a bowl, plate, gingerbread mould, and spoons, always having a function.

Nowadays when we talk about Antique Treen it tends to cover all small wooden items including antique snuff boxes, candle stands, spice towers, etc. often made from several pieces of turned wood.

 

When a piece of wood has been painstakingly turned or carved, handled, polished and loved over a few hundred years old, it can develop a wonderful colour and patina and becomes an irresistible piece of Antique Treen.

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Address: Devon      Contact Telephone: 07941 285532       Email:opusantiques@hotmail.co.uk

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