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Quite simply, treenware, or treen, is the humble product of fashioning objects from the wood of trees. It’s a theme that evokes a sort of earthy nostalgia, combined with some elegance and functionality in design. Historical, rustic, primitive, nostalgic, are all adjectives fitting treenware. 

The roots of treenware stretch back for centuries, to the American colonies and earlier. For pioneers and settlers, wood was a readily available resource, making it an ideal material for crafting into useable household, personal, even military items. Spoons, bowls, trenchers, canteens, tankards, plates and lots of other simple wooden products are often accurately described as treen. 

The word itself comes from the Middle English words “trene” and “treawen.” These were plural forms of the word “tre,” meaning “tree.” The word evolved over time, losing its pluralization, and becoming “treen” by the late 16th century. The “-ware” suffix was added later, meaning “goods made of,” so treenware simply indicates “goods made of trees.” In general usage, it came to mean mostly smaller, functional objects, as opposed to larger ones, such as furniture or cabinetry.

Treenware can capture the essence of nature – practical wooden goods crafted from the timeless bounty of trees. It’s a word steeped in history, practicality, and aesthetic appeal. If you’d like to learn more about your treen or any other crafts you may own, give us a look at them by checking the link below. We’re here to help!

www.siscoantiquesappraisals.com

Is it a red painted treenware canteen or a powder keg? Either way, it brought $600 at auction. Family lore had it that the initials “J G,” carved into one end, stood for John Glover, whom they believed was executed by the British when he refused to pilot the brig Boxer from Maine’s Muscongus Bay up the Medomak river. During the War of 1812, the Boxer had been harassing and capturing vessels off the Maine coast, until she was captured herself by the US Enterprise in 1813. Photo courtesy Maine Antique Digest.

A Pennsylvania covered yellow treenware sugar bowl with a red and black painted ring turned top and sprays of flowers circling the cylinder, sold at auction for $2070. Photo courtesy Maine Antique Digest.

Here’s a wonderful hand carved 19th century treen snuff box in the form of a woman’s shoe, made of walnut, with a hinged lid. It could be worth a retail price of $225-$250.