Eight Sided 19th Century Treen Teetotem tempera painting which emits a really nice

which emits a really nice glow when lit

I'm sure there were once more blocks in this set

13 3/4" t x 6 3/4" w x 4 1/4" d

There are a few stains to the blue fabric on the interior

but often one finds them with a loss at one side that keeps them from working properly--not the case here

Eight Sided 19th Century Treen Teetotem tempera painting which emits a really niceI've had a couple of these carved of bone, but this is the first treen (hardwood) example I've found, British I presume, and I believe earlier than later 1800s. My photos aren't great, but it a lovely thing, with black inked numbers in each side, written in just the same manner as on early 19th century bone ones, so I do believe of that age. Used in the 18th and 19th century for games including "Put and Take," and often as substitutes for dice