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Antique Early Treen 17thc Sailors Snuff Box in the Form of a Sperm Whale Dated 1659.
Sold by Mark Seabrook Antiques
sold SA1196000
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Mark Seabrook Antiques

Mark Seabrook Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Apr 2020
Browse dealers 37 items
  • About Us
    Specialising in 17/18thc oak & country furniture, antique treen, early metalware & english pottery.
Id #SA1196000
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Antique Early Treen 17thc Sailors Snuff Box in the Form of a Sperm Whale Dated 1659.

17th century
Sold 29 March 2026 · Mark Seabrook Antiques
This “Antique Early Treen 17thc Sailors Snuff Box in the Form of a Sperm Whale Dated 1659” found a buyer.

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

Description

Here is a wonderful chance to buy one of the earliest snuff boxes I have bought in my career...and probably one of the earliest pieces of treen in the country for sale at the moment....I bought this from a private collection, so it is fresh to the market...and I have to say it really has thrilled me to have owned it.... maybe only for a short while....this amazing piece of treen is made of teak, as were the timbers used for ship building in the 17thc....it is in the form of a sperm whale....it is dated 1659 and initialled R.H....my conclusion is that it belonged to a sailor working on board a cargo ship, who saw a sperm whale and carved it out of a piece of teak from an offcut that he found on board ship....all this when Oliver Cromwell was coming to the end of the Commonwealth period..! The snuff box is in excellent condition with a fine natural colour and handles as a 17thc piece of treen would, with well worn detail and a date you can just make out, which is what you would expect from a piece this age with shrinkage and wear....it is a real privilege to have found and owned this very special piece that has survived 367 years....just think of its voyage to me..!

English. C1659.

Physical Dimensions
Height
3.8cm (1.50")
Width
10.2cm (4.02")
Depth
3.8cm (1.50")
Declaration

Mark Seabrook Antiques has dated this 17th Century Treen Snuff Box to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1196000
Dealers Internal Reference
MS 8415
Dealers Notes

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer , all you will need are my Bank Details, which I will send you or off line by Credit / Debit card ,..... e-mail or telephone your card details (long card number, expiry date and three security digits on the reverse of the card) through to me and I will do the rest .

Please quote the Internal Reference Number to identify the item you are enquiring about....thank you.

Description
Here is a wonderful chance to buy one of the earliest snuff boxes I have bought in my career...and probably one of the earliest pieces of treen in the country for sale at the moment....I bought this from a private collection, so it is fresh to the market...and I have to say it really has thrilled me to have owned it.... maybe only for a short while....
“
this amazing piece of treen is made of teak, as were the timbers used for ship building in the 17thc.
Mark Seabrook Antiques

...it is in the form of a sperm whale....it is dated 1659 and initialled R.H....my conclusion is that it belonged to a sailor working on board a cargo ship, who saw a sperm whale and carved it out of a piece of teak from an offcut that he found on board ship....all this when Oliver Cromwell was coming to the end of the Commonwealth period..! The snuff box is in excellent condition with a fine natural colour and handles as a 17thc piece of treen would, with well worn detail and a date you can just make out, which is what you would expect from a piece this age with shrinkage and wear....it is a real privilege to have found and owned this very special piece that has survived 367 years....just think of its voyage to me..!

English. C1659.

Height
3.8cm (1.50")
Width
10.2cm (4.02")
Depth
3.8cm (1.50")
Date of Manufacture

Mark Seabrook Antiques has dated this 17th Century Treen Snuff Box to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1196000
Dealers Internal Ref
MS 8415
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Apr 2020

Specialising in 17/18thc oak & country furniture, antique treen, early metalware & english pottery.

Dealer Profile

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

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An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 5
Archive I An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Antique Early Treen 17thc Sailors Snuff Box in the Form of a Sperm Whale Dated 1659.

Archive II An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. View II
Archive III An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. View III
Archive IV An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. View IV
Archive V An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 07770 721931
Location
Bedfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Apr 2020
Items For Sale 37
Items Sold 1,054
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Mark Seabrook Antiques
Verified Since Apr 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Apr 2020
For Sale
37
Sold
1,054
An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina.
Antique Early Treen 17thc Sailors Snuff Box In The Form Of A Sperm Whale Dated 1659.
Ref: SA1196000
An antique dark wood snuff box carved in the sculptural form of a sperm whale with a smooth polished patina.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail
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Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSnuff Box
  • Period17th century
  • Style17th Century Folk Art
  • MaterialHardwood, Treen
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsWhale effigy carving, Hand-smoothed patina, Folk art sculpting
  • SizeH 3.8 cm (1 in) x W 10.2 cm (4 in) x D 3.8 cm (1 in)

Treen refers to small, functional wooden domestic objects made before the widespread use of plastics and mass production, often hand-carved by sailors or rural craftsmen.

Craftsmen typically utilised dense, native hardwoods such as boxwood, fruitwood, beech, and walnut to ensure durability and a fine surface finish.

Authentification relies on examining tool marks, shrinkage patterns, natural patina, and the type of wear associated with centuries of handling.

Displaying these small sculptural objects on a bookshelf or mantelpiece adds texture, historical depth, and a focal point to contemporary spaces.

Maintain stable relative humidity and protect the piece from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent timber cracking and surface degradation.
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