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ID #SA1222264
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An Antique Treen Irish Puzzle Ball
Sold by Opus Antiques
sold SA1222264
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Opus Antiques

Opus Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2014
Browse dealers 96 items
  • About Us
    Antique treen, boxes & decorative georgian items
Id #SA1222264
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An Antique Treen Irish Puzzle Ball

19th century
Sold 1 January 1900 · Opus Antiques
This “Antique Treen Irish Puzzle Ball” 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.

See more treen for sale Ask the dealer for something similar
Description

This is an excellent example of an Irish puzzle ball.

This ball is lovely quality, note the feathering decoration. One of the circles pushes out to release a box for coins, rouge or snuff. It is made from arbutus wood, very similar to yew wood. This ball measures 5.5cm w.

Declaration

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Puzzle Ball to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1222264
Dealers Notes

Own a piece of history

Description
This is an excellent example of an Irish puzzle ball.

This ball is lovely quality, note the feathering decoration. One of the circles pushes out to release a box for coins, rouge or snuff. It is made from arbutus wood, very similar to yew wood. This ball measures 5.5cm w.

Date of Manufacture

Opus Antiques has dated this Antique Treen Puzzle Ball to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1222264
Opus Antiques
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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A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 3
Archive I A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

An Antique Treen Irish Puzzle Ball

Archive II A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns. View II
Archive III A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns. View III
Enlarged Archival View
Opus Antiques

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 96
Items Sold 2,403
Opus Antiques
Opus Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2014
View Dealer Info
Location: North Devon, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/opusantiques
Verified
Oct 2014
For Sale
96
Sold
2,403
A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns.
An Antique Treen Irish Puzzle Ball
Ref: SA1222264
A spherical turned wood puzzle ball featuring concentric carved rope twist rings and visible timber grain patterns.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectTreen
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Folk Art
  • MaterialFruitwood, Hardwood
  • ColourWarm Amber Brown
  • MotifsConcentric circles, Rope twist carvings, Spherical geometry

An antique treen Irish puzzle ball from the nineteenth century represents Victorian folk art. The spherical object is made from arbutus wood with a warm amber brown colour, showing visible timber grain patterns. Artisans used traditional turning and carving techniques to shape the wood. The surface displays concentric carved rope twist rings, feathering decoration, and a central circular motif. One of the circles pushes out to release an interior compartment designed to hold small items such as coins, rouge, or snuff. The solid wooden construction shows natural age-related patina on its polished finish. This small collectible measures 5.5 cm in width. The piece sits neatly on a bookshelf or desk within a gentleman's library or study today, offering an intriguing tactile display item that guests can handle to discover its hidden mechanical feature.

FAQs

Treen refers to small, functional or decorative domestic items crafted entirely from wood, historically produced before the widespread adoption of metal and plastics. Wooden puzzle balls were turned on a lathe and carved with interlocking or concentric patterns intended as tactile novelties or complex brainteasers.

These objects were typically turned from dense hardwoods such as boxwood, fruitwood, or walnut due to their tight grain structure. Craftsmen used specialized handheld turning gouges and chisels to form precise concentric bands and moving internal components.

Authentic period examples feature natural wood grain variations, subtle hand-carving marks, and surfaces darkened through handling over time. Look for minor organic shrinkage across the wood grain and authentic wear along the raised carved edges.

Display small treen objects on open bookshelves, within glass cabinet displays, or on sideboards alongside hardback books. Grouping pieces with contrasting wood species creates a focused decorative arrangement.

Dust the item regularly with a dry microfiber cloth and avoid positioning it near radiators or in direct sunlight to prevent shrinkage. Apply a thin layer of natural beeswax polish annually to nourish the timber and retain its natural sheen.
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