Antique c1780 Georgian Turned Fruitwood Treen Table Snuff Box Draught Form Ringed Lid

A particularly fine late 18th-century Georgian treen snuff box, dating to circa 1780 and beautifully turned from dense, richly coloured fruitwood.

The box has a wonderfully satisfying low circular form, almost resembling an enlarged Georgian draught piece. Its broad body rises to a deeply domed lid, finished with a succession of concentric turned rings and a small central boss. The same disciplined circular decoration continues through the interior and across the underside, so that virtually every surface has been considered and finished on the lathe.

What is immediately apparent in the hand is the quality of the turning. The box is substantial without appearing heavy, while the lid fits with remarkable precision. It closes firmly with a gentle twisting action and releases in the same manner, the accuracy of the fit still functioning beautifully after more than two centuries. This close closure would have been particularly well suited to keeping powdered snuff contained and protected.

The broad dome, pronounced central boss and stepped mouldings belong naturally to the vocabulary of Georgian turned woodwork. There is an almost architectural quality to the construction, with the simple form built up from carefully balanced curves and concentric bands rather than applied decoration.

The choice of dense fruitwood has also contributed considerably to its survival. Over generations of handling the timber has developed a superb deep reddish-brown colour, with warmer areas of grain showing through the naturally polished surface. It has the mellow, tactile character that makes early treen particularly appealing.

The interior is equally well finished, with concentric lathe marks forming a subtle decorative centre, while the underside repeats the same circular turning. This attention to surfaces that would normally remain unseen is a particularly pleasing indication of the quality of the original workmanship.

The box remains in very good antique condition with light marks, minor wear and natural variations in the old patina consistent with age and use. The body remains sound and, most importantly, the exceptionally well-fitted lid continues to close securely and operate smoothly.

A beautifully understated piece of Georgian treen whose appeal lies in the precision of its construction, the wonderfully mellow fruitwood and the simple pleasure of a lid that still fits exactly as its turner intended nearly 250 years ago.

Size: c. Lid 11cm diameter, Base 10.3cm diameter, H 6cm

*Please go to our shop on Ebay for other similar items, we can also look to combine postage where possible