Small Scandinavian oval lidded bentwood box
Small Scandinavian oval lidded bentwood box with round bent wood handle, decorated with painted flowers and impressed saying "Elden pröfvar guldet/Nöden pröfvar vännen"
("The fire tries the gold/The gold tries the friend") and signed on bottom "A.Ö.". The box is crafted in the traditional bentwood style and with sewn closure, the lid removed by gently flexing the long tines to allow enough room to open the lid, the tension which otherwise keeps the lid firmly in place. Possibly Swedish, late 19th century.
Traditional Scandinavian tine boxes (pronounced teen-ah) originated in Norway and examples have been found in the remains of Viking ships as early as 840 A.D. These boxes come in all shapes and sizes and were usually used for storing valuable possessions, grains, meat, or anything that needed to be secured. They were often made as gifts and could be plain or highly decorated with carving and/or rosemal painted decoration, and were sometimes referred to as a 'Bride’s Box' if delicately carved or painted to show affection.
Size: 3 h x 5.75 w 2.62 d
M21398
