W & W Antiques

Email: wallsandwalls@btinternet.com
Web site: https://www.wandwantiques.com/

Swedish 'Folk Art' Baroque style table box late 18th Century

SOLD

Code: 10302

Dimensions:

W: 38cm (15")H: 23cm (9.1")L: 45cm (17.7")



For sale is an absolutely beautiful Swedish table box painted in an original and decorative blue-green paint from the last quarter of the 18th Century.

- The table box is constructed from heavy painted pine, with slightly sloping sides, with warm orange/red and darker red painted highlights to the ornamentation motif and edges.
- The table box is from Ångermanland Region in Northern Sweden, bordering Lapland.  This region is recognised as historically producing a special landscape of folk carpentry, with great skills and a great understanding of the possibilities for pine and its superior properties as a slow growth material in this climate.
- The box from the late 18th Century retains distinctive late Swedish Baroque features in a style with raised or fielded panels referred to as mirrors.  These are in relief to all four sides and the lid. These are bevelled to each panel on the four sides and smooth carved/moulded to the central panel motif to the lid.
- A very similar example of box from this region are referenced, catalogued and detailed on the website for Västernorrland Museum http://old.murberget.se/upptack/foremalslista.aspx
- The Baroque style is a highly ornate and elaborate style of architecture, art and design that flourished in Europe in the 17th and first half of the 18th century. Originating in Italy, its influence quickly spread across Europe and it became the first visual style to have a significant worldwide impact. The first global style, Baroque's influence extended from Italy and France to the rest of Europe.  As a style, Baroque also changed as it crossed the world, being adapted to new needs and local tastes, materials, wealth and contexts as was the case in Scandinavia and Sweden influencing 'folk art' objects in rural communities.
- The lid is decorated with an applied and elaborate design motif framing the initials 'PJS' in a dark decorative flowing monogram in a stylistic flourish above a date of 1780 applied in the warm/red orange colour.
- This large exuberant mirror in relief to the lid of the box has a lighter coloured grey background magnified by the colour of the warm/red painted edges to the decorative moulded frame.  
- This shape of this relief mirror or raised moulding is a motif often seen in variation of design within Baroque and blurring with Rococo architecture, furniture and ornamental garden design.  Highly ornate decorative formal gardens with central water features are often designed in this shape across the stately homes of Europe.  This was influenced by the popularity of the French baroque style of garden such as Versailles from the 18th Century onwards and was embraced in Sweden and the UK. 
- The table box has original wrought iron strapwork, hinges and lock/lock escutcheon.  The large removable key operates the pressure release lock well and remains positive in its action.
- The box has age-related wear to the box, edges and paint, but at c.240 years of age is in great solid condition and is a testament to its solid pine construction and design. 

A beautiful antique item ready for further decorative use and utility in a new home.

Free delivery in the mainland UK as priced. International buyers are welcome, but please contact us prior to payment to confirm the additional packaging, insurance and shipping costs by way of acceptance to your country. Purchaser responsible for local import tariffs/fees. If you are interested in multiple items, please contact us for combined postage.