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Antique Pine Marriage Box in Neo-Classical Style
Ref: 6292
A pine marriage chest or trousseau from Central Europe, probably German, dated to front, ‘1851’. The neo-classical style persisted in Europe beyond the 1820s, this colour scheme with terracotta red and earthy blue is typical of the style & often seen in Swedish and German painted furniture and harks back to classical times. We’ve kept the box unwaxed so the freshness of the colour is preserved.
The flowers and the garland or wreath that decorate the chest probably don’t have very much to do with the ‘vinok’ or garland worn by maidens in Slavic tradition but are rather symbols of everlasting life, when Romans honoured generals & soldiers with a wreath it meant they had become god-like & their honour would live forever, in the Christian symbolism of the country people of Central Europe the moment of marriage was a holy sacrament wedding the bride to everlasting life, so hear appropriately the laurel wreath enfolds the date, translating the contingent into the eternal. Very nice and clean condition.
Central Europe c.1850
H: 50cm (19.7in)
W: 112cm (44.1in)
D: 52cm (20.5in)
£850
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