Antique Treen - a brief history

In the latter half of the twentieth century, interest in treen and other wooden bygone objects grew considerably, as with interest in antiques in general. Treen covers a wide spectrum of objects, however ornaments are never described as treen, as all treen were made for a specific use and in their making a well proportioned attractive form is conveyed through a high level of craftsmanship. A suitable timber for its purpose was always used and nowadays through many years of use a good colour and patination is most desired.

In the 17th century in England the turner most probably had no equal, and the wealthy of those days had their vessels made from imported woods such as lignum vitae. Carved wooden objects on the other hand were less desired by the wealthy in England, and therefore the finest carved objects originated from France, Italy and other Western European states.

Such a variety of woods were used that in some cases it is hard to verify the type, and designs were used for generations, so dating is more of an art than a science. Wood was used so prevalently in those days, because it was abundant and less expensive to use than other costly alternatives, hence many objects with sometimes more than one purpose were turned and carved, which makes collecting treen and other wooden bygones such a satisfying and interesting hobby.