Sold 21 November 2025 · Opus Antiques

This “Antique Treen Dated Stay Busk - 1780” found a buyer.

It was listed by Opus Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

This lovely dated stay busk 1780 has lots of decorations from roundels with flowers inside to hearts and diamonds and foliage. A great piece of Folk Art. It has two sets of holes in the edge to allow ribbons or cord to be threaded through and hung as a love token when not in use keeping the women's torso straight and flat.

Note the lovely red coloured decoration.

It measures 33.5cm l x 4.7cm w.

Declaration

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Wooden Stay Busk to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1174935

Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description

This lovely dated stay busk 1780 has lots of decorations from roundels with flowers inside to hearts and diamonds and foliage. A great piece of Folk Art.

“

It has two sets of holes in the edge to allow ribbons or cord to be threaded through and hung as a love token when not in use keeping the women's torso straight and flat.

Opus Antiques

Note the lovely red coloured decoration.

It measures 33.5cm l x 4.7cm w.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Wooden Stay Busk to the Georgian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1174935

About the Dealer

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2014

Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Opus Antiques Profile Page

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An elongated, flat wooden stay busk featuring intricate hand-carved geometric patterns, floral motifs, and a central figure with rich brown patination.

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An Antique Treen Dated Stay Busk - 1780

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Opus Antiques

Telephone 07941 285 532

Location

North Devon
United Kingdom

Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques

Verified Since Oct 2014

Items For Sale 101

Items Sold 2,389

Email Opus Antiques

An Antique Treen Dated Stay Busk - 1780

Ref: SA1174935

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Cataloguer’s Note

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectDecorative Treen
Period18th century
StyleGeorgian Folk Art
MaterialHardwood, Treen
ColourWarm Brown
MotifsChip carving, Geometric patterns, Floral motifs, Incised detailing

FAQs

A stay busk is a rigid flat strip made of wood, bone, or metal that was inserted into a pocket at the front of a corset or stays during the 18th century to maintain a straight posture.

While whalebone was common, carved examples were frequently made from close-grained hardwoods such as boxwood, fruitwood, or sycamore, often fashioned by suitors as tokens of affection.

Authentic pieces typically feature period-appropriate hand-carved motifs such as geometric chip carving, hearts, initials, or dates, alongside natural surface patination and tool marks consistent with hand-working.

These flat carved objects look exceptional when mounted on a minimal linen backing within a shadow box frame, allowing the intricate historical folk art details to be appreciated as wall art.

Preserve wooden objects by keeping them away from direct sunlight, maintaining stable relative humidity levels, and avoiding harsh chemical polishes; a microcrystalline wax can be applied sparingly if needed.