Posted 11 years ago
TedB
(9 items)
I was given this chest by a friend who no longer wanted it hanging around in his garage. I liked the look of the chest and would like some help figuring out how old it might be. Seems to be well made, with a top that fits very square and tight on all sides of the base. It is 40 inches long, 17.5 inches high and 19.5 inches deep. The hardware is brass, with attractive handles, a sturdy brass lock and brass accents on the corners and sides.
If anyone can help with identifying this chest that would be great.
Thank you!
Ted
Now that is what an old box should look like. What does the bottom and inside look like.
Maybe a carpenter's tool chest?
Very Nice
Thanks AZTom, I will change out the photos over the weekend to show the inside and bottom.
Ted
I believe that is a blanket chest, just by the look of it. It does not seem to be heavy enough for a tool chest. Very nice.
OK, you have my attention. I also would like to see the inside detail as well as the bottom. Joints if you can get a shot of them. The dimensions are really on the small side for even a blanket chest. The handles are pretty light weight for tool chest. The upper portion of the lock looks like a mismatch both appearance and alignment. Without seeing more I would guess it was a homemade hope chest for a lady in waiting. The joints would help date it along with clearer images of the hardware. That being said, I love it.
It appears that the sides and front are one board. Is this correct?
Trunking - Glad to see someone else noticed that. The match up was well done. The joints and construction will tell the story regarding it's age. Who ever built it did one hell of a job matching it.
Thanks for everyone's help. I have some more photos that I just put up. The joints seem to be well done, one edge curves to make the joints rounded on the outside. I don't see any nails used on the joints. In terms of the bottom, the bottom piece is not reinforced and would be too light for tools. The base is fastened to the chest with nails that all have an irregular shape to the head.
The brass hardware above the lock used to have a circular handle in it for lifting the lid (my best guess). Hard to show the detail with so few photos possible. I don't know if there is a way around that.
The new photos show the bottom. The chest opened, the back of the lock and a typical joint. Yes the front sides and back are all one board!
On the lid of the chest, centered is brass piece that looks like it was meant as a name plate but I can't see anything inscribed on it.
The outside of the item is original as is the bottom. The interior and the hinges have been reworked by a handyman at some point. The joint I can see isn't terribly clear but seems to be rounded in a locking fashion. (Sorry old eyes) That would tell me to look around mid 1800's give or take a few years. The scotch fasteners probably weren't original. They would have been added afterwards unless this was made later. Looking at the inside I think someone modified it to keep fine linen in or something along that line. The modern hinges are pretty obvious.
Thank you fhrjr2 and trunkingforfun for all the help with this item, I've been away from my computer so I'm a bit late in getting back to you.
Ted
This is a chest from the 1850's that is a common style used in the shipment of materials from China to the Port of San Francisco which is where I am located.
After a bit of research here is what I have learned. It is really a great chest with some really difficult wood working features, hidden dovetails, floating panel top and incised brass, top fitting perfectly to the bottom even after 160 years. No glue or nails were used in the joinery, just nails to attach the rail and small feet to the bottom. Professional woodworkers are amazed at the craftsmanship of these chests. Missing some brass strapping, and brass corner pieces, it has a crack on the lid, still all considered a very beautiful chest. The chest is made made of Camphor wood.