Posted 11 years ago
BHock45
(807 items)
So today I just had this feeling, like there was something waiting for me at the antique and used furniture store. Jumped in the car rushed over there....and found this. Amazing huge, heavy and well constructed. A large cabinet? bar? Something....but the patina looks authentic, ever single joint is a hand cut mortise-tenon. Hardware looks like hand hammered iron...Anyone have any ideas about where this could be from? How old? Original paint?
I have the feeling this is Mexican, or Southwestern.
Lovely! Did you buy it?
I am ashamed to say that I did! I haven't made an impulse buy like that in a very long time. For some reason I could not pass this up. Since I was short on time, I had the store hold it for me. I will have to pick it up when I have more time and someone to help because it is massive. Almost 5 foot high.
What a unreal cabinet beautiful colours in the painting's does it have any painted work inside. If so I would say they would be deep in colour. For a impulse by you seem to have done very well.
zowie, thank you for the the kind words.
It's beautiful BHock45.....but I'm getting more of an Asian feel from it. Those look like lotus flowers and the rabbits have a Chinese look to them.
I was thinking Chinese too ....
So most think Chinese or Asain. The craftsmanship is quite good. I will post some more pics tomorrow when I finally get it home. Thanks everyone!
mikelv, thank you for the comment! Vetraio thank you too!
I'll throw in with Asian also...are the center carvings...pheasant or dragon?
LOVELY!
thank you agram!
I know we all seem to think it is Chinese...however, painting like this is not typical on Chinese furniture, is it?I believe we have lotus flowers, a long legged rabbit, and perhaps vultures???
Similarities with the door paneling here:
http://www.chinese-furniture.com/zimages/pom_images/niandai_cabinets_manual_sm/assets/fallback/index.html
Looks like I was wrong about the painting, here is something similar:
http://www.chinese-furniture.com/zimages/pom_images/niandai_cabinets_manual_sm/assets/fallback/index.html
Could it be a Temple Cabinet like this:
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/asian-art-furniture/furniture/buddhist-temple-cabinet/id-f_815335/
idcloisonne, any guess on its age?
stunning!!!
id, the piece is great! Looks great, I had a perfect spot for it so it fits well. No impact actually, thanks sean for the comment!
Gorgeous Asian piece. Good score
moonstone, thanks! I have to update with a full image it is so much nicer than these photos!!
I just added some updated pics for anyone interested, thanks everyone for showing so much interest!!!
You're right the more I look at it the more admire how well made the piece is. I also believe it to be quite old. No more stuff, if I could help it !!! :)
lol, id I just saw this!
Looks Super.....and has some real age // wear to it!!
Great Find!!
What a gorgeous piece of furniture, I don't know why you say 'I'm ashamed to say I did'....I think you would have been sorry if you hadn't, it ooooooozes! character...it's beautiful.....:-)
thank you antiquerose for the comment. inky, I am not sure why I said that. Just because I try not to buy the first time out. I was afraid someone else would snag this one though. But lately I have been having second thoughts. I want to be able to know it is authentic....not sure if it is.
I would like to ask a couple questions, I missed this piece before. Is the tenon you refer to shown in pic #3? If so is the miter joint cut completely through both joined pieces or does it go only half way? It also appears it has been pinned with a dowel to the right, would that be right? Not much joinery showing so I am guessing here. Picture #4 has an issue but it is a common blemish.
did you look under any drawer or at the very bottom underneath for any marks of sorts?
I am going to quote you and ask you to qualify the statement:
"Too much work went into this and too much wear to be a reproduction. :-)"
Items produced in the 1700's were reproduced during the 1800's and so on. To make your statement I would hope you base it on more than an opinion based on four pictures.
I would agree it qualifies as an antique based on face value of four pictures. Perhaps you can educate us by qualifying your statement.
fhrjr, I was referring to mostly every joint including inside the drawers. I will update with some more pics and link them. What is the problem with pic #4? I am just curious.
antiquerose, I have looked everywhere but it is a massive piece, it is 5 foot tall.
idcloisonne, I hear what you are saying but I want to rule out all of my doubts. I have seen some really good repros lately, there is a store that sells stuff like this and ALL of it looks old/antique. They even tell you it is old, but I am thinking it is new stuff. I just want to be sure is all.
PS: fhrjr, I was wondering if you got a chance to see this one I posted, you may enjoy it.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/126890-american-pine-document-file-box-in-pine?in=userf
I am also going to post an oak side chair, I think it is english, but it is kinda interesting.
thanks again!
Bhock - The joint in picture #3 (from what I can see) is a mortised tenon joint. I have known four craftsmen in my entire life who could hand cut and fit this joint properly. Unfortunately I am not one of the four. Hand cutting and fitting this joint makes dovetails look like child's play. This is where the dowel comes into play (I seem to think from the picture there is a dowel to the right of the tenon). The dowel would come into play for one of two reasons. Either the original craftsman screwed up or someone did restoration work. The main concern with this joint is having the top surface tight and flush. The underside in this situation doesn't matter. Whether by the original maker or during a restoration the joint didn't line up correctly. When you encounter that you get out the clamps and with luck you force them into alignment. With the clamps in place you drill and then drive a hardwood dowel. When the clamps are removed the dowel will keep that top surface flush. Naturally this assumes you are working with solid wood to begin with. Commonly referred to as hiding sin. You did a bad and now need to hide it.
I will come back to pic #4 in a few minutes, I am still trying to conjure up some information I forgot long ago regarding reworked pieces.
fhrjr, very interesting about the mortise tenon joinery. I knew it was a difficult craft, but I had no idea it was like that! I've added some pictures of additional joinery on the piece. To be quite honest, the reason I bought this piece was because I was impressed by the joinery. I do not see through cuts like these very often. But I thought it was nice. Take care!
New pics:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/127836-asian-cabinet-continued
Hi there sorry for taking so long in getting back heaps of things happening. I hope all is going well your way stay safe & good hunting.
I am going to bring this one back....because recently I had it looked at by a professional. He claims it is a common piece made for export. I normally do not discuss price or value, and I am certainly not trying to sell this piece. The value he gave to this.... 200 US Dollars. I'm a little shocked. Is this just a sign of a bad market? Keep in mind it is 5ft by 5ft of thick heavy stock, all joined by mortise and tenon joints with hand carved pins to secure . You couldn't build this from construction grade pine for 200 dollars.