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ID #SA1196478
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A Carved Limewood Match Holder/striker in the Form of a Gnome 1916
Robert Belcher Antiques
for sale €556     $603
£475
Robert Belcher Antiques

Robert Belcher Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2017
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  • About Us
    Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.
Id #SA1196478
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A Carved Limewood Match Holder/striker in the Form of a Gnome 1916

19th century
Description

This superb small Black Forest hand carved lime wood novelty match holder is in the form of a standing gnome wearing a tall peaked hat and tunic with a long beard.

This cheerful fellow is standing with one hand raised and the other holding his walking stick. Beside him, there is a gnarly tree stump which is hollowed to store matches with a place for striking them, which is made from glued fine gravel.

This rare and pleasing example is hand signed by the artist and dated 1916 on the underside in ink.

Swiss, circa 1916

Height 11cm x width 8.5cm x depth 5.5cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Physical Dimensions
Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
5.5cm (2.17")
Declaration

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Carved Limewood Match Holder to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1196478
Dealers Notes

Robert Belcher Antiques was established in 1984 and is a high-quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative objects. After forty years of shop keeping and maintaining beautiful showrooms, which have been regularly open six days a week, Robert and Wendy have now taken a slightly different approach to their business. Having sold their retail premises, the antique business is now fully online. The picture framing service has ceased to operate because of moving online.

You can contact Robert and Wendy by email or telephone to discuss items from their extensive catalogue of attractive pieces and make purchases. Customers can rest assured that the long-established dealership is continuing to run in an exceedingly professional way, selling genuine and high-quality items which are guaranteed to please the most discerning collector, decorator or homeowner.

All items will be personally hand packaged to a high standard. Small items are extensively wrapped using the best materials and are often double boxed. Items are then shipped with DHL or Royal Mail fully insured and often with next day delivery. Larger items would be personally delivered or sent with a specialist antique delivery firm, or for outside the U.K, a professional shipping company.

Please enjoy viewing their collection of rare and interesting pieces and have the assurance that Robert and Wendy will do their utmost to make sure your experience is exceptional, as has been recognised by many customers who have bought with confidence regularly over the years.

Contact details

Email: robertbelcherantiques@gmail.com

Telephone: 01905 622468

Mobile 07929 011224

07720 607007

Website: https://www.robertbelcherantiques.co.uk

Instagram: robertbelcherantiques

Description
This superb small Black Forest hand carved lime wood novelty match holder is in the form of a standing gnome wearing a tall peaked hat and tunic with a long beard.

This cheerful fellow is standing with one hand raised and the other holding his walking stick.

Beside him, there is a gnarly tree stump which is hollowed to store matches with a place for striking them, which is made from glued fine gravel.
Robert Belcher Antiques
fig 1. A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump.
fig 1. A Carved Limewood Match Holder/striker in the Form of a Gnome 1916

This rare and pleasing example is hand signed by the artist and dated 1916 on the underside in ink.

Swiss, circa 1916

Height 11cm x width 8.5cm x depth 5.5cm

DELIVERY

UK Mainland: FREE

International Delivery: Please contact us for a shipping quote.

Height
11cm (4.33")
Width
8.5cm (3.35")
Depth
5.5cm (2.17")
Date of Manufacture

Robert Belcher Antiques has dated this Carved Limewood Match Holder to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1196478
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2017

Robert belcher antiques was established in 1984 and is a high quality retailer of interesting, rare antiques and decorative items.

Dealer Profile

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

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A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump.
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Archive I A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump.

A Carved Limewood Match Holder/striker in the Form of a Gnome 1916

Archive II A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View II
Archive III A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View III
Archive IV A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View IV
Archive V A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View V
Archive VI A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View VI
Archive VII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View VII
Archive VIII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View VIII
Archive IX A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View IX
Archive X A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View X
Archive XI A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XI
Archive XII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XII
Archive XIII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XIII
Archive XIV A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XIV
Archive XV A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XV
Archive XVI A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XVI
Archive XVII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XVII
Archive XVIII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XVIII
Archive XIX A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XIX
Archive XX A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XX
Archive XXI A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XXI
Archive XXII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XXII
Archive XXIII A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump. View XXIII
Enlarged Archival View
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Verified Since Jul 2017
Items For Sale 406
Items Sold 667
Robert Belcher Antiques
Robert Belcher Antiques
Verified Since Jul 2017
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Verified
Jul 2017
For Sale
406
Sold
667
A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump.
A carved limewood match holder/striker in the form of a gnome 1916
Ref: SA1196478
A carved limewood match holder depicting a hooded bearded gnome holding a staff beside a hollowed tree stump.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

A figural match holder and striker is a functional tabletop accessory designed to store unlit matches and provide a textured surface to ignite strike-anywhere matches. Popular during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these items were frequently carved into whimsical forms, including folklore figures, animals, or natural elements.

Black Forest style wood carvings were predominantly crafted from native European hardwoods and softwoods, particularly limewood and walnut. Limewood was favoured for its fine, even grain and soft texture, which allowed craftspeople to execute detailed features without splitting the material.

Authentic period wood carvings exhibit clear hand-tool marks, precise chisel cuts, and genuine patination from age and handling. Unlike modern moulded reproductions, hand-carved pieces feature subtle asymmetries and varying depths across textured surfaces like clothing folds or tree bark.

An antique carved match holder can be positioned on a fireplace mantelpiece alongside modern candles or styled within a bookshelf arrangement. Its warm wood tones and distinct sculptural shape add texture and visual interest to contemporary desktop or living room displays.

Limewood carvings should be positioned away from direct heat sources and extreme humidity to prevent timber movement or cracking. Gentle dusting with a soft-bristled brush is recommended, along with periodic light applications of clear beeswax polish to preserve the wood finish.
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