S/4530 Antique Treen Late 18th Century or Early 19th Century Chip Carved Double Apple Wood Shoe Love Token/Snuff Box

A lovely late 18th Century or early 19th century chip carved double shoe love token/snuff box, having a surface intricately chip carved, with a single sliding lid and depicting two vases of reeds, with stars below a further design with two small panels, cross hatching and pointed toes with carved reeds. These double shoes were often known as marriage shoes, cut from the solid to form boxes with sliding lids. It was a marriage custom to be given to the bride and groom, often with a piece of coal and sugar to ensure the couple never lacked warmth, sweetness and sustenance. The whole has a good colour and retains a patination.

Sold 4½ in. (11.5 cm.) Wide
2 in. (5 cm.) Deep
1 in. (2.5 cm.) High
French Circa 1800