S/5321 Antique Treen 19th Century Arbutus Wood Cribbage Board

A rectangular arbutus wood cribbage board, having a stepped and rounded end with a suspension hole. The back has scratched writing, Jackie and Stephen Heart. The whole retains a patination.

There are about 20 species of arbutus wood distributed across the world. It thrived in South West Ireland in County Kerry, the extreme South West of County Cork and is abundant in the woods around Killarney. In Irish it is called caithne and cuince, but the English name is strawberry tree on account of its strawberry like flower, and is popular with gardeners because of its ability to fruit and flower at the same time. The whole has a lovely rich colour, grain and patination.

3 in. (7.5 cm.) Wide
15¼ in. (39 cm.) Deep
½ in. (1.25 cm.) High
Irish Circa 1830