"Treen" refers to those small, useful objects handcrafted out of wood—not including architecture, furniture, clocks or cabinetry. The word "Treen," itself, means "of the tree." In the old days, metal tools and objects tended to be expensive (and plastic had not, yet, been invented). Therefore, many useful tools and household implements were crafted of wood. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution—with its mass production and economies of scale—metal became affordable to a greater percentage of the population. Laboriously hand-carved wooden items became a little less common.
Technically speaking, treen items can be found all over the world. Most of the treen I encounter today—especially from England, where I often shop—was made in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries. And it was mostly produced for the souvenir and gift trade. Although the pieces are nicely-crafted (and useful), such "modern treen" often becomes "cabinet collectibles." Some of these pieces are painted or otherwise marked with the name of a village, town or country where it was purchased.
The English treen "barrel-box," shown above, was made in the Teens or Twenties. It is possibly made of beech and it has been nicely-turned to shape it and to carve-out the handsome horizontal ribbing. There is no tourist marking on it. Such a little "trinket barrel" is perfect for keeping a supply of collar stays at the bedside, a spare key (or keys) for emergencies, or paper clips on the desktop. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome treen box.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.