Designer: Manner of Rockwell Kent

Item: Carved lidded wood box

Manufactured by: Unknown

Country of origin: Scandinavia

Year made: 1930s

Materials: Unknown hardwood

Dimensions: 2 ¼” x 7 ½” x 5”

Condition: Excellent for its age

Description: A highly stylized modernist carved relief lidded box in the manner of important American artist Rockwell Kent. It also shares stylistic similarities with the work of American artist George Aarons (1896 - 1980) who did plaster low-relief sculptures. But we have been unable to find any of his work in wood and his works were fully signed.

The carving on this box appears to be a farmer or person either using a Reindeer to plow a field or possibly riding a Reindeer. This box was made in northern Scandinavia by an artist who appears to have been influenced by Kent and who carved an initial “A” as the signature. Kent spent many years painting in that area and we wished we knew more about this mystery carver. The design is exceptional and both the lid and box were carved from single pieces of wood. We have been unable to find anything else that even resembles this deco period gem. A truly stunning and unique work of Scandinavian carving.