Vintage Hand-Painted Folk Art Treen Pot – “Mary, Love and Best…”
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There are some pieces that just feel as though they’ve been held, loved, and whispered to over time — and this gorgeous little hand-turned wooden pot is one of them. 
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Made from pale wood and gently shaped on a lathe, you can still see the beautiful concentric turning rings inside and beneath the lid. 
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The outside has been delightfully hand-painted in rich folk-art colours: soft orange blossoms surrounded by lush green leaves, with a sweeping black ribbon-like line circling the lid. It has such a warm, cottage-charm character.
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Measuring approximately 8 cm in diameter and 5 cm tall, it’s the perfect size for sewing notions, buttons, beads, jewellery, keepsakes — or simply to sit prettily on a dressing table or shelf and bring a little rustic joy to the room.
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And then there’s the most heart-melting detail…
Turn it over, and in faded pencil you can just make out the words:
“Mary love and best …”
A simple message — informal, heartfelt, and deeply human. It feels like a gift of affection, perhaps from a sweetheart, friend, or family member. That tenderness has travelled quietly with it through the years, and it really adds to the romance and story of the piece.
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✨ Details
Material: Turned wood (treen)
Decoration: Hand-painted floral folk-art design
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Size: approx. 8 cm diameter x 5 cm tall
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Era: Likely mid-20th century
Use: Trinket pot / sewing notions / sentimental keepsake
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💛 Condition
In lovely vintage condition with expected gentle wear to the paint and surface, which only adds to its lived-in charm. The pencilled inscription on the base is faint but readable — and absolutely worth keeping just as it is.
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🌷 Why we love it
Because it feels personal. Handmade, hand-painted, hand-given — and now ready for the next chapter in its story. Pieces like this bring warmth and character to a home, and this one has sweetness in its soul.