Description:
An 18th Century box veneered with oysters of yew the top accented with a box wood line framed by a cross banding of  quartered yew. It is in boxes such as this that the art of wood selection is at its best.

Working lock and key original lift out tray.

Origin: United Kingdom.

Circa: 1780

Materials: yew wood veneers on a mahogany structure.

Size: 10” x 8.3”, 5.1” tall. 25.5cm x 21cm, 13cm tall.

Condition: good.

The yew has long been a sacred tree. It is said that if you sit under a yew on a sunny day you will be intoxicated. It is very hard although because it is an evergreen tree defined as softwood. It has always been a prised wood of the traditional craftsman.

Inside there is a lift out tray which is as the box still covered in its original paper.

 Detail of the top: I have  taken this picture to emphasize the colour. In the center are two bookmatched pieces of yew. The annular grain is clearly visible. Some of the staining will have been caused by fungus within the tree.  The craftsman will have taken delight selecting the pieces of wood which best expressed him and the figure of the particular tree. It is time consuming making a box such as this. each piece of veneer has to be sawn from the flitch of wood. The pieces with the most drama will be used on the top and front. But this box is interesting from all directions.

Under magnification little hairline cracks can be seen in the veneer when it catches the light. These are not structural. as the veneers are on a stable mahogany carcass. Indeed they are a sign that the box has not been inappropriately refinished.  This picture has been taken to emphasize the sheen of the surface.  Much of this wood is endgrain. 

 Detail: The veneer here is end grain and relatively small pieces are joined to create an abstract in wood. It is well worth looking at the enlargements.