S/4443 Antique Treen 18th Century Sycamore Stay Busk

A lovely 18th century love token sycamore angled stay busk, which is extensively chip carved all over with stars, a radiant heart, a daisy wheel and crossed lover's arrows. It also is dated 1793 and initialled S.T. Stay busks were used to fit into a front pocket of a lady's corset, many were plain, but carved ones, as in this instance were tokens of love similar in detail to Welsh love spoons. Interestingly the back at the top has a U shaped chamfer, so as to make it easier to remove from the corset. The whole has a good pale colour and original patination.

Sold 2 in. (5 cm.) Wide
¾ in. (2 cm.) Deep
12¾ in. (32.5 cm.) High
English Circa 1793