Scandinavian / Swedish 'Folk Art' Bridal / dowry chest, rosmålning heart & love bird decoration c.1780

For sale is beautiful small Swedish 'Folk Art' bridal / dowry chest (writing box shape) from the last quarter of the 18th Century. This bridal gift/love token or dowry with original blue-black paint has some of the best quality rosmålning decoration we have seen from this period on a small table box. The painter shows clear evidence of some considerable skill and expertise in the planning of the heart shaped wreath and bird. - A beautiful small sloping pine box with bevelled base edge and lid raised on small turned feet. - The box background colour is a beautiful faded blue-black characteristic most probably from the Hälsingland region of Sweden from 1770-1800. - The lid has a most beautiful heart shaped wreath as a design motif to the sloping lid encapsulating a bird clasping a small twig/branch. The symbolism is evident from a period when dowry gifts were highly valued and showcased a significant investment and commitment as part of the celebration. - After the marriage pledge had been made, men often gifted betrothal boxes like these to their fiancées containing gifts like gloves, a shawl or a hymnal. Similar boxes are represented in the Nordic Museum. - The front frieze / panel has rosmålning decoration to either side of the lock iron strapwork. The side panels are also painted with rosmålning, one side remains but the other has worn. - The box has an internal raised shelf for writing implements and ink as evidenced by the marks within. - Original ironwork hinges with internal decoration, strapwork and lock escutcheon (no lock mechanism or key). - Wear and tear throughout which is to be expected for a box of circa 240+ years from the Gustavian era. It remains in solid working condition with beautiful original paint. A decorative age-worn love token from 18th Century, rural Sweden.