Featured Turned wood containers, age and wood type?

Hello all! I haven't been able to pick up much from the auctions recently with the Canada Post strike and delays, but finally have a few items that I will be sharing today. I won these two items for next to nothing (no-one else was interested in them). I thought they looked interesting and older. They were listed only as, "Turned walnut containers". Are they walnut? What is their function? One has a lid that screws on and off, the other may be missing something but it isn't exactly the same as the other. The one without a lid is 3.25"H, the other is 3"H. Are they a little older like I thought? Any info appreciated, thanks!!

 

If I were guessing, I'd say African of all things. I have something similar sitting here with a Made in Mozambique label on the bottom and it weighs a ton. The others may actually know.

 

You could very well be correct, I haven't a clue- thanks!

 

https://www.antiquesreporter.com.au...d-money-box-with-removable-top-heig/?prices=1

 

Thank you! This definitely looks similar, although a little taller

 

I thought they looked like chess pieces !

 

they do indeed...

 

Another use perhaps?- https://www.bada.org/object/s5992-antique-treen-19th-century-boxwood-dice-shaker

 

lignum vitae? Are they very heavy?

 

I wouldn't say very heavy but a decent weight for their size. The one without a lid (142g) is heavier than the one with (84g).

 

The link wasn’t opening for me but I came to say dice cup/dice shaker too.

 

Nice! I'd guess lignum vitae as well, probably early to mid 19th century. Would think the lidded one for spices or other dried or powdered substances. This one holding powder: https://www.ebay.com/itm/182949765089


The other, which looks to me like it might have a finished interior, its thick walls making it much heavier, may be a spill vase, though rather short. https://www.opusantiques.co.uk/product-page/an-antique-treen-spill-vase-levi-collection-label

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164315155467

https://www.markseabrook.com/en-GB/...ll-holder-with-attractive-figuring/prod_11991


Believe a money box is unlikely, there would typically be interior threads to screw the top in place. https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/19th_century_treen_turret_money_box_a948/as209a948

Treen dice cups, as noted and visible on the one linked, have interior ribbing to help turn the dice.


Dice cups in Pinto's 'Treen and Other Bygones' (1969):




Spill vases in Pinto's 'Treen or Small Woodware Throughout the Ages' (1949):



~Cheryl

 

Wonderful information, very interesting thanks so much! You're right, the slightly larger unlidded container does have a finished interior with thicker walls.