Oval Norwegian wooden bentwood lunch box with lid, hand painted with rosemal decoration, mid-19th century
Size: 6 h x 11 w x 6 d in
M20103
Traditional tine boxes (pronounced teen-ah) originated in Norway and examples have been found in the remains of Viking ships as early as 840 A.D. Used for storing valuable possessions, grains, meat, or anything that needed to be secured, these boxes come in all shapes and sizes, can be plain or highly decorated, painted or intricately carved. They were often made as gifts, sometimes referred to as a 'Bride’s Box', and delicately carved or painted to show affection. This box opens by gently flexing the long tines to allow enough room to open the lid, the tension which otherwise keeps the lid firmly in place. Made in the bentwood style, this box has been painted with an overall rosemal decoration.