A 16TH CENTURY FRENCH RENAISSANCE CARVED BOXWOOD NUTCRACKER, CIRCA 1580

the lever action nutcrackers (casse noix et noisettes) carved as the head of a bearded man wearing a hat surmounted by a falcon, his mouth opening to insert the nut, with a shield below, the handle fitted with a whistle,

26cm high

A status sign for royalty and the wealthy in 16th century Europe, finely carved nutcrackers of this type were probably intended more for show than for function.

Auction comparables: See Christie's, London, 3 November 2011, lot 152, provenance Axel Vervoordt, Antwerp, for a near identical example, sold £8125, and Christie's, London, 11 June 2010, lot 1185, £3750,

Related Literature: 'The Art & Character of Nutcracker', Arlene Wagner, Collector's Press, US, illustrates a near identical example entitled 'Man with Bird on Hat', dated to 1560-1580 and which also features a whistle in the handle, probably to attract the attention of servants.

'Treen for the Table', Jonathan Levi, 1998, pl.12/10 p. 160.