Featured Looking for information. Carved wooden chest/box

Wow, thanks for the information.
So with your knowledge and eye for these things, how much can it be approx worth in this condition?

 

Hard to say without knowing where in world you are, in USA at auction, guesses $200-$400 USD, if you had the lock or restored it with lock, probably double that or more.

 

Okey.
Not worth selling. More fun to own one.

I edited my earlier post..

Im in Sweden.

 

I agree, it's a very nice box.
I have no clue what it would sell for in Europe, was hoping @Any Jewelry would stop by & offer her opinion, maybe she will still!

 

Okey. Lets hope that she does that.

I found one similar that was sold at Bukowskis year:1906 to a museum for around 900SEK(that year, around 100USD)

http://www.kringla.nu/kringla/objekt?referens=Kulturen/objekt/17405 (swedish website)

 

Sold at auction in 1906? i think it said, that was a tidy sum in 1906 i bet.

 

i can be wrong to.. but i quote the page

"
Karlins lappkatalog

• Skrin av ek V. Götland (uppk. å auktion hos Bukowskis 26/4 1906 (838) kr. -10.-).
  Praktfullt karvsnitt på alla sidor. Initialerna på det välvda locket uthuggna i järn. Alla kanter järnbeslagna och hängslena såsom band utdragna över det välvda locket. Järnhandtag i gavlarna. 240x450x395 mm [foto på katalogkort]
  "

the bold text i asume is the price cause here in sweden we type "KR" after the sum.. like in the USD = $ .

 

LOL, no problem. Here is another Friesian box that sold recently, as you can see, that "Heart" motif is very prominent in early Friesian carving.

"Friesian Carved Box, c. 1683, lid and sides carved with complex geometric and heart patterns, the lid with carved inscription "TOMAS/TEVNISE" and "ANNO/1683," with turned front feet, ht. 3 3/4, wd. 7 1/2, dp. 5 in."
https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2922M/lots/334

 

It is gorgeous, Phk. I'm with James, classic Frisian 'kerfsneewerk'.

Here I am, woken up by your call. It is unusual, you see it occasionally on strongboxes for valuables and important documents, hence the (missing) lock.

Dutch and Frisian bible boxes have flat lids. The domed lid is usually seen on money chests and boxes for valuables.
Bible boxes are not nearly as common here as in many other countries btw.

Frisian kerfsneewerk used to be made in the northern Frisian regions, from the north of the Netherlands eastwards along the German North Sea coast to the Danish border. So German Frisian is possible.
The Dutch Frisians have kept the tradition and are still carving today.

The price here in the Netherlands would be about the same as in the US.

 

I am utterly ashamed to say that, although I am part-Frisian, I don't own one single piece of Frisian wood kerfsneewerk. I do own some ceramic kerfsneewerk, a similar tradition in Friesland, but not as nice as wood imo.
And a small hoard of Frisian jewellery, of course.
Anyway, totally inspired by this gorgeous box, I am now off to look for a nice Frisian box.

 

In the USA, this term "Bible box" for early american boxes (17th- early 18th century) is a misnomer, these early boxes were not used for bibles, indeed, books of any kind in 1700 america were hideously expensive for one thing and, it's doubtful the box owner could even read. It is now believed most of these early boxes were used to store one's personal items in a one room communal household. The term "bible box" here was not in use until the mid 19th century & was probably related to a marketing campaign. Just sayin......

I am shocked, SHOCKED!!! Not a single early box from someone who is a Frieslander? SCANDALOUS!

 

Truthfully, the onle bible boxes I have seen here were made in the early days of the Dutch East Indies. Maybe to protect the bible from tropical insect infestation.

I know, I am deeply ashamed.
I just found a lot of two boxes, not so early though. One ca 1860 and one ca 1890-1900 (my guestimates). I put in a bid, so fingers crossed.

 

I was just teasin, you don't need to get a carved Friesian box!
On a more serious note, i notice there are 2 spellings, Friesian and Frisian, which one is correct?

 

I know, but I thought it was time. But I am Dutch (and Frisian), so cheap.

It is Frisian in English, Frysk in Frisian, Fries in Dutch, Friesisch in German.
Take your pick.
Personally, I'm fine with Friesian as well, it is clear what is meant.

 

The seller accepted my bid.

 

lol, CONGRATS! i think

 

Hi.
Thank you for the information and for your time to answer.

 

Jeezzzzz, no wonder people don't know where these boxes are from, Frieslanders don't know themselves!
It's very distinctive chip carving, quite "busy" in a way and no mistaking it's origins, it is HIGHLY collectible in USA and, if carved by a frieslander immigrant, VERY EXPENSIVE if an early box, spoon rack, desk box, etc.
I went after an early american Frisian carved desk box a year ago or so, was blown out of the water, zoomed to high 4 figures in seconds and finished at $10,000. USD in a minute or 2.
Neat that the Frisians are still carving away in the old country! The tradition lives on!

 

My grandmother's maiden name was Fries, but only my cousins are half Dutch. Go figure. Grandma's family were all from the German/French Rhineland. (and they were dirt poor farmers - no fancy boxes in that bunch!)

 

LOL, Yeah, I hear you, I feel Grannys pain as i have had my share of issues with fancy boxes!