Antique treen, French bombe traditional screw-form nutcracker. Body is possibly burr boxwood; the screw thread is possibly boxwood? The ball finialed handle is decorated with turned circles; ridge turning on the end with a round opening to receive the hazelnut (or even a walnut). Beautiful honey color with a gentle, pleasing patina. Excellent condition, without cracks or scratches. Even the screw thread is unchipped. Approx. 6 inches (closed); 2oz.
This pocket-sized, hand-held nutcracker would have been used at social gatherings and theater performances. Suspected early nineteenth-century French. Similar examples are illustrated in “Treen for the Table” by Jonathan Levi.
Found in a safe deposit box containing a French c.1830 child’s toy in similarly fine condition. Please contact me to contribute information to this listing.
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