S/3669 Antique Folk Art 18th Century Rosewood Love Token Pencil or Tidy Box

A rare and wonderful love token of the 18th century, northern carved, dated folk art, rosewood pencil or tidy box. The sliding lid has a carved rising sun, next to a church, cottage, and turreted castle, with intermittent trees and a dove. The whole is surrounded by a border of zig zag carved decoration. Both ends have a central carved five petal rose, with diamond shaped carving to each side. The back has four panels comprising of two joined hearts pierced with an arrow bordered with zig zag carving, with a further heart the opposite end, again pierced by an arrow with another panel depicting four hearts joined at the base. The central panel is carved with a dove, and a flying fish with a shark below, insinuating it was probably done by a sailor or a person connected with the sea. The back panel is carved with the names of John McKenzie and Peggy Fairweather and dated 1787. The whole is bordered with zig zag carving and has a panel depicting X motifs. This exemplary box has single dovetailed construction, a lovely colour and excellent patination. It is a serious piece of English 18th century folk art.

Inside there is a birth certificate for Ann Law, daughter of Alexander Law and Ann Greig, his wife, dated 1st. August 1885.

Sold 7 in. (18 cm.) Wide
2½ in. (6.5 cm.) Deep
1½ in. (4 cm.) High
English Circa 1787