Why are Antique Treen Tinder boxes difficult to find?

Antique treen/ wooden tinder boxes are quite rare ...why? A tinder box was used to store steel, flint and dried tinder, these were needed to start a fire. Steel was held in one hand and was struck by a piece of flint, the sparks that resulted were directed onto dry tinder, which would then hopefully create flames. Wooden tinder boxes hence were not the first choice of material due to the box itself having the potential to catch fire.

A few antique treen/wooden tinder boxes were made they were usually rectangular in shape initially dug out from a piece of wood with a sliding lid, slightly later boxes were wall hanging, divided into two unequal sizes compartments. In the larger compartment flint, steel, tinder and sulphur matches were stored and in the smaller compartment known as the hearth the spark was kindled. Sometimes there is a small lid for the hearth which was used to put out any glowing tinder,.

They were often stored near the kitchen hearth to keep the contents dry, many are found scorched from the fire or from spark production. Look out for signs of carbonisation on the interior of the boxes.

Finding a wooden tinder box is not common preferred materials were metal and the metal canister type were popular in the 18th century. these canisters had a candle socket on the lid and storage of the flint, steel etc inside.

This heart shaped tinder box in image 1 and 2 is extremely rare shape, it has the steel attached to the lid, and being small was probably to carry around in a pocket.

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We first became involved in Antique Treen and furniture some twenty five years ago and since then a passion for Treen, small wooden snuff boxes and decorative wooden items has developed into Opus Antiques.

This web site shows only a  small selection of our current stock for sale, if you are looking for something you don't see, please contact us.


We are also interested in buying Antique Treen items. As well as using our Contact page, you can also email or telephone us on 07941 285532


The word Treen is derived from the word tree and is a term used to describe wooden household objects, all turned from one piece of wood e.g. a bowl, plate, gingerbread mould, and spoons, always having a function.

Nowadays when we talk about Antique Treen it tends to cover all small wooden items including antique snuff boxes, candle stands, spice towers, etc. often made from several pieces of turned wood.


When a piece of wood has been painstakingly turned or carved, handled, polished and loved over a few hundred years old, it can develop a wonderful colour and patina and becomes an irresistible piece of Antique Treen.

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  • Opus Antiques, Devon, UK
  • Opus Antiques, Devon, UK
  • Opus Antiques, Devon, UK

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Address: Bath, Somerset       Contact Telephone: 07941 285532       Email:  sally.honey@icloud.com