Dimensions
12 inches wide, 4 inches high, 7 inches deep.
For metric please multiply by 2.5
Full Description
A very pretty, small oak box intricately carved to all four sides. The front centred with a goose and lion rampart flaning a tree. And panels caved with names and the date Anno 1722. The side panels carved with stylised tulips, a ladder leaning against an apple tree, geometric symbols, foliate scrolls and pinwheels The top with intricate geometric intertwined flowers and scrolls. The carving is so delicately executed, deep and fine, each panel must have taken a month of steady work.
The box is early 1700s and original had split wire hinges but these have been replaced with small steel hinges which appear 19th century.
The bible inside this box was clearly much treasured and valued.
It is inscribed to ‘Mary with much love from Daddy, Christmas 1929’ and contains pressed four leaf clovers, cards of Baptism of other members of Mary’s family, small notes, bookmarks and pressed flowers.
I believe that Mary may have married Edward Paul Fooks whose grandfather was the Reverend Thomas Fooks of Hartley in Kent.
Whilst the box is late 1600s in date the carving is later and mentions several names, it may eveb have been carved by Mary’s father before being given to his much loved daughter in 1929.
A very emotive and beautiful time capsule.
