| Bent wood boxes have a long and colorful history. Many different cultures have made their own unique versions of them. In Norway, examples of these boxes have been unearthed in the remains of Viking ships dating from 840 A.D. They were used to store valuable possessions, grains, meat, or anything else that might need to be secure. |
| The traditional Norwegian tine or Swedish svepask is constructed of a thin piece of steam-bent wood that is laced together with some type of tree root, usually birch. The sides have two vertical posts cut with notches that are used to hold the lid on. Because of the snapping noise that they make when being closed, they are also called snap boxes. To open the tine, the side posts are gently pulled apart until the lid is freed and can then be lifted off. |
| Decorations on tines have varied widely over the years. Some tines are left unadorned, but many are decorated at the whim of the craftsperson, with carvings or possibly painted. Antique versions are frequently decorated with traditional forms of Rosemaling. |  |
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The most common style made at Sweetpea Cottage is known as a laup or tine, pronounced "tin-ah." They are most often constructed out of solid cherry, ash, quartersawn white oak, maple, or birch. They are all characterized by the flexible ends that allow the lid to snap tightly into place. The heart motif that is frequently used on our boxes is a characteristic of "bridal boxes." The smaller versions of the Viking tines are commonly used to store delicate objects such as needles and thread, jewelry, or mementos. |
| Sweetpea Cottage specializes in a wide variety of tines. Some are constructed along traditional lines, while others are constructed with a novelty twist. Many are made with birch roots, gathered from our own birch trees during the early Spring. Other tines are constructed with copper tacks, in a style similar to the traditional Shaker boxes, made in the use. Many carry some style of hand-carved adornment, often on the front of the box or on the vertical side postst. The wood that is used can be maple, cherry, ash, birch, or white oak. |  |
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Our tines can be used as traditional display items, unique jewelry boxes, desk caddies, or any other sort of storage container that you might desire. They make excellent one-of-a-kind gifts, with nobody else offering such an interesting range of styles, sizes, and shapes, anywhere on the Web. |
| However they are used, they are bound to be eye-catching and a conversation starter! |
