Vintage treen (small wooden items)

Treen is a word from Old English meaning "wooden". It is now used as a collective term for small carved or turned timber objects, that were made for household use. The term is also applied to wooden articles that do not fit any other classification. The word is not used to describe objects that are mainly ornamental, nor to furniture.

Before the late 17th century when pewter, silver and ceramic tableware began to come into use for the middle and lower classes, wood was the default material for most dining utensils, from plates and bowls to spoons, and the use of wood extended to other kitchen and household equipment.

Almost all treen is anonymously made - there are no makers names or marks. The objects were made by the local cabinetmakers and wood turners.

Over the years many treen objects have acquired a satisfying patina, through their constant handling and use. more... Earlier kitchen tools were waxed rather than polished, and today will be rough, stained, chipped, and scorched, revealing a lot of use in their previous lives.

The variety of objects made for general household use is enormous and includes pepper-mills, cigarette boxes, flower troughs, napkin rings, punch bowls lined with metal, platters, porringers, ladles, salad servers, bowls, puzzle money boxes, egg cups, spice boxes, lemon squeezers, pails, glove stretchers, potato mashers, spoons, mouse-traps, colanders, back scratchers, and nutcrackers.

Basic utlilitarian items such as such as the above, were usually waxed rather than polished and bear the hallmarks of their use being rough, stained, chipped and scorched.

The more decorative treen articles for the drawing room or bedroom were polished, lacquered, painted, or inlaid with coloured woods, ivory, mother-of-pearl, or coloured glass.

Amongst the more unusual items are miniature letter boxes for country houses, decoy ducks, body massagers and silk winders. less...